A Pinehurst neighbourhood dispute ended up in court after a mum threatened to “smash her neighbour’s head in”.

Rebecca Marie Stratford was aggrieved that her next-door neighbour had reported her to the police over loud music being played from her home late at night.

The victim has since left the area and the court heard that Stratford “gets on swimmingly” with her new neighbours.

Swindon Magistrates’ Court was told on Tuesday (August 30) that after loud music was being played from the 27-year-old’s home on February 20, the neighbour banged on the wall, in a bid to get her to turn the volume down.

But prosecutor Kate Prince said it only became louder.

The police were contacted on 101 and at around 1am, the victim said she received missed calls from Stratford.

“She saw Ms Stratford bang on the door and shout ‘get your ass out here I’m going to smash my neighbour’s head in’.

“They called 999. She got a message later that day saying ‘stop reporting me’.”

Ms Prince went on to say that Stratford, of Beech Avenue, was subject to a community order at the time of the offence.

Probation officer Nic Lincoln said it was “going really well” and that “compliance has been described as very good”.

Defending, Emma Hillier said that there were numerous disagreements whilst the victim and defendant were neighbours and the special educational needs of one of Stratford’s daughters means there is “a lot of shouting”.

“She is very remorseful for her actions,” Ms Hillier continued. “She has various mental health issues herself.”

Sentencing, District Judge Joanna Dickens said: “The first thing to say is that offences like this are really frightening. If you live next door and they play loud music, why shouldn’t she report it?

“It’s not just your mental health that’s going to suffer, it’s everybody else’s.

“You can’t go putting it onto somebody else. It’s terrifying and you can’t do it.

“People are entitled to live in peace. Just turn it down.

“I accept you’ve got a lot of problems and you’re working well.”

The district judge imposed a 12-month community order, during which time Stratford must complete 10 rehabilitation activity days.

A £95 victim surcharge was deemed paid by her appearance at court.