FORMER close friends fell out over an allegation made by a member of one of their families against a member of the other, eventually resulting in a drunken public row, a court heard on Wednesday.

Tracy Ann Short, 46, of Botley Copse, Peatmoor, appeared before the town’s magistrates on Wednesday accused of using threatening and abusive words or behaviour thereby causing alarm or distress in April this year.

She pleaded guilty to the charge and said she was very sorry.

Prosecutor Pauline Lambert told the court that Short and another woman had been close friends until the other woman’s son made an allegation against Short’s boyfriend.

At 6.30pm on April 26 this year Short went to her former friend’s address and the two had a conversation outside, Ms Lambert said.

Short became threatening and abusive, to the woman and a witness who asked Short to calm down was told in no uncertain terms to go away.

The other woman went inside, locked the door and stayed in a bedroom with her children, who were distressed and crying.

When interviewed by police Short admitted she had been extremely drunk. She had only wanted to talk to the other woman but felt brave because of the alcohol, Ms Lambert told the magistrates.

Defence solicitor Mike Pulsford said Short was very apologetic but she and her partner had lived a life of hell since the allegation. She felt she had to get drunk before she did anything about it.

Chairman of the bench Jane Flew told Short: “The way to deal with this is not to go round to her house and shout abuse. Alcohol always makes matters worse.”

Short was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 and a victim surcharge of £30. The magistrates imposed a restraining order preventing Short from having any contact with the other woman for 12 months.