A woman who harassed her elderly landlady by sending offensive and malicious letters has been sentenced to 80 hours community service by magistrates.

Janet D'Sa, of Lakehall Road, Thornton Heath, was also subjected to a restraining order at Sutton Magistrates' Court last Wednesday, preventing her contacting 79-year-old Sheila Read and her daughter.

D'Sa was found guilty of harassment on November 12 after the court heard she had sent a string of bizarre and disturbing letters to Mrs Read when she was a tenant at her house in Worcester Road, Cheam, in April and May of this year.

Mrs Read told magistrates her life had become a "nightmare" as a result of D'Sa's behaviour.

Noel Carpenter, representing D'Sa, said his client was a woman with no previous convictions and that a community service order was not appropriate because of a forthcoming medical operation.

He said D'Sa, who claimed during the trial that Mrs Read and another tenant had harassed her, was appealing the case.

Costs of £200 pounds were waived in light of D'Sa's debts.