Mum, 44 gets jail warning

Feb 18 2005 By Patrice John, Evening Mail

A nightmare neighbour has been given a suspended 28-day prison sentence for breaching an anti-social behaviour injunction.

Mum-of-five Jestina Benjamin, 44, of Baverstock Road, Druids Heath, was made the subject of the 12-month injunction on January 6, but admitted to breaching it on February 4.

Emily Orme, representing Birmingham City Council, told the city's County Court the incident started after Benjamin rang the doorbell of her neighbour Denise Dean.

"Benjamin made a conscious decision to walk out of her own house to her next door neighbour's front door. She persisted by attempting to enter into a verbal altercation."

Benjamin was in custody for the ten days leading up to the hearing and District Judge Stephen Arnold warned if her injunction was broken in the next six months she would face a much longer term of imprisonment.

"You have heard the clanging of prison doors for the first time in your life. I hope the last ten days have given you the opportunity to reflect on your behaviour."

Andrew McGuire, defending, said Benjamin was a "troubled lady" who suffered from depression.

Speaking after the hearing, Ms Dean said relations began to sour last spring.

"I hope she sticks to the injunction, I just want a normal life. Up until last April I dealt with her face to face with complaints. We were on good terms."