A WIDOW described as “the neighbour from hell” has admitted failing to abide by an order forbidding her from playing loud music or allowing large groups to congregate at her home.

Holly Lancaster appeared at Worcester Magistrates’ Court where she admitted failing to abide by the order, which was imposed on Wednesday, March 4, as well as possessing about £10 of Mephedrone – the class B drug popularly known as M-Cat.

The 34-year-old of Malvern Road, St John’s, Worcester, was arrested when police raided her home early on Thursday, March 26, following reports she had failed to comply by the order aimed to prevent noise, stop groups of people causing antisocial behaviour and forbidding the house from being used to store drugs.

David Ollivere, defending, said Lancaster’s husband had unexpectedly died of a heart attack last year and she had turned to drugs in an attempt to deal with her grief.

“She suffered from anxiety for a long time anyway but as a consequence of the loss of him it intensified,” he said.

Mr Ollivere added Lancaster, who is unemployed, had since moved her television away from a window and taken a large set of speakers down from the wall and there had been no complaints since.

District Judge Nigel Cadbury told Lancaster noise from neighbouring homes can have a serious effect on people.

“There is nothing worse than neighbours suffering from excessive noise from next door,” he said.

“It can have quite a psychological effect on them.

“You need to think about being the neighbour from hell, because that’s what you were.”

He fined Lancaster £110 for possessing the drugs and £70 for breaching the community protection order.

She was also ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.