THE decision to sentence a neighbour from hell to probation after she hurled racial abuse at her Asian neighbours has been welcomed by race relations workers in Worcester.

Stephanie Davis, a divorced mother-of-five, was sentenced to two years' probation by city magistrates on Tuesday after she admitted abusing the Multani family.

Andrew Lee, deputy leader of Worcester Racial Equality Council, said he hoped the punishment would deter others from subjecting minorities to racial abuse.

"Racial harassment is wrong in any circumstances and the Multani family faced this," he said.

"It's good that the police are trying to make sure such behaviour is properly dealt with."

He said he had closely followed the case, which arose out of an incident in Vigornia Avenue, off Rainbow Hill, last November.

"I hope this will send out the right message that this behaviour should not be tolerated in any circumstances," he added.

"I didn't attend the case, but I welcome the decision of the magistrates."

Mr Lee added that more cases of racial harassment were coming to light because people were no longer prepared to tolerate such behaviour.

"There's greater awareness in society and this is very positive."

Members of the Multani family told the court Davis swore at them as well as threatening to use petrol to burn them.

Davis, aged 27, who is of mixed race herself, was later evicted from Vigornia Avenue following a campaign of terror against her neighbours.

During her time in the council house, she was accused of abusing neighbours, pouring paint over a car, bombarding another person with hoax calls and threatening people who confronted her.

She had a history of such behaviour with complaints made about her when she lived at another address.

She is now living in Bath Road, Worcester, in private accommodation.