Dorothy Evans denies six charges of breaching a restraining order

Andrea Edwards claimed at Cardiff Crown Court that Dorothy Evans, 78, had harassed her family and was forcing them from their home.

The jury viewed CCTV footage shot by a camera from Mrs Edwards's house.

Mrs Evans, of Abergavenny, south Wales, denies six charges of breaching a restraining order.

Mrs Edwards told the court: "I keep the video camera on daily because Mrs Evans subjects us to abuse on a daily basis, so I need to protect myself and my family."

She (Mrs Evans) gives a lot of verbal abuse and walks off cackling and laughing Andrea Edwards

"I have two young children who I am trying to bring up in a safe and happy environment, and Mrs Evans is making it difficult to do that."

The jury watched footage showing Mrs Evans parking her white Rover Metro car behind the van of a plumber working at Mrs Edwards's home, blocking him in.

Mrs Edwards told the jury she had not asked Mrs Evans to move her car, and instead moved her own car which was parked in front of the plumber's van.

Asked why she did not ask Mrs Evans to move, Mrs Edwards replied: "She (Mrs Evans) gives a lot of verbal abuse and walks off cackling and laughing."

'Forced to move'

Previously, the jury heard that in November 1999, Mrs Evans was made the subject of an order not to be abusive by words or actions to Mrs Edwards's husband, Julian, and another neighbour, Margaret Jones, and their respective families.

Huw Evans, defending Mrs Evans asked Mrs Edwards if she wanted to perpetuate the dispute between the neighbours and wanted to see Mrs Evans jailed or forced to move because the family was having trouble selling their own home.

Mrs Edwards said: "We are selling it because we are being forced to move because of the harassment.

"My children are getting older and they see this harassment on a daily basis."

The trial continues.