You are a malevolent, evil and wicked old woman. You deliberately set out to make the lives of your neighbours a misery

Judge David Morris

Giving her a nine month suspended sentence Judge David Morris told Mrs Evans she was" a wicked, malicious old woman" and said her actions were unjustified.

He also asked whether it was for his benefit that she hobbled into court on crutches when medical reports had said she was mobile

At last month's hearing the judge called Evans the "original neighbour from hell".

During the trial the court heard Evans had threatened to kill Julian and Andrea Edwards' baby boy and intimidated and frightened other neighbours.

The court heard that Evans told father-to-be Mr Edwards: "The baby could be born dead yet."

On Monday Judge Morris told Evans "You are a malevolent, evil and wicked old woman."

"You deliberately set out to make the lives of your neighbours a misery>"

Psychiatric reports showed Evans was not suffering from any mental illness or disorder and medical reports showed that though she needed some treatment she was "mobile".

"I don't believe that you are in such condition as your present appearance indicates by the use of crutches," said the judge.

He also said her age alone was no bar to a prison sentence.

"Even 75-year-old women get sent to prison in extreme cases."

Evans "Wicked malocious old woman"

But the judge said he was suspending Evans' jail sentence for two years because he was concerned she would not get necessary medical treatment for her thyroid and digestive disorders in prison.

"Were it not for that, there would be no reason why you should not be sent to prison immediately."

He said that were she to commit any further criminal offences in the next two years - especially any harassment of neighbours - she would be brought back to court and would have to carry out the prison sentence.

Judge Morris told Evans that the original magistrate's restraining order would remain in force.

He asked prosecuting barrister Huw Wallace to explain to Evans's neighbours that the powers of the court were limited and he could not prevent her from returning to her home in Abergavenny.