A Sprowston woman described by a judge as 'making other people's lives hell' has been jailed for six months and been given a five year restraining order after she exposed herself to a neighbour following an ongoing dispute.

Julie Rickards, 44, had earlier been abusive to neighbour Julia Butler and Norwich Crown Court heard that it culminated in her exposing herself and performing a lewd act when in full view of her neighbour, who was standing at her bedroom window.

Rickards of Foxburrow Road, Sprowston, Norwich, had denied exposure but was convicted following a trial and sentenced this week.

Jailing her for six months, Judge Stephen Holt told her: 'You have a history of making other people's lives hell.'

He said the victim felt 'disgusted and violated' by the incident and said: 'There is a history of anti-social behaviour directed at your next door neighbours.'

Speaking after the case Mrs Butler, 51, who has waived her right to anonymity afforded to her as a victim of a sexual offence, said: 'I hope the jail sentence can help sort her out because she obviously has got serious problems.'

John Morgans, prosecuting, said Mrs Butler was shocked at what she saw and 'felt disgusted'.

Mr Morgans said the victim had lived at the address with her partner for 27 years without any problem but said that difficulties arose after Rickards moved in next door.

He said that there had also been incidents of anti-social behaviour reported about Rickards at a previous address where she lived.

Michael Clare, for Rickards, said: 'This offence is acutely embarrassing to her. She is completely humiliated and some might say that is what she deserves.'

He said that since this incident there had been no further contact with the neighbour and she was hoping to move house.

He said Rickards ran her own successful business and added: 'She finds it difficult to be in the neighbourhood and will move as soon as she is able to.'

Rickards was also put on the sex offenders register for seven years.

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