A WOMAN branded a neighbour from hell has hit back at the claims, saying she is being victimised just for being young.

Rebecca Goodwin, 33, of Allington Way, Chippenham, was featured in last week's Gazette, after she was fined by magistrates for disturbing the peace of her elderly neighbours.

Magistrates said they were satisfied that the trouble between Mrs Goodwin and two neighbours had been largely due to her younger brother playing loud music, and that they were convinced she had tried to make the peace with one of the neighbours, since the trouble in May.

But Mrs Goodwin says she has now been informed by Westlea Housing Association that she has violated the terms of her tenancy agreement and is to be moved from the street.

This week, many of Mrs Goodwin's other neighbours and her former husband, Colin, gathered at her home, where she lives alone, to support her view that she is being unfairly targeted.

"Seeing myself labelled a neighbour from hell in the paper almost tipped me over the edge," said Mrs Goodwin, who suffers from depression.

"I feel like everyone is talking about me and pointing me out as a monster.

"But anyone who knows me, knows that I am not the terrible person these two neighbours have made me out to be. If anything I just want to be everyone's friend.

"As was said in court, the noise from my flat was caused by my younger brother, who I have since banned from my flat.

"I don't have children who scream and shout. I even go next door to my male neighbour and tell him that I'm going to put music on. I do not want revenge, I don't have any malice against these neighbours. I just want to be able to live in peace with them."

Albert Bryant, 80, who lives four doors away from Mrs Goodwin and has lived in the street for 47 years, agreed that she was being picked on.

"It's all been blown completely out of proportion," he said.

"Fair enough, young people are moving in here and they like playing music and sometimes sitting outside with their friends, but Rebecca doesn't cause a nuisance far from it.

"I think the people who have complained are overreacting. They should remember they were young once and we should all try to get on."

Fellow neighbour, Alison Hibberd, 35, agreed. "I don't hear this loud music, partying and fighting that they claim is happening," she said. "I could not believe what I read Rebecca was being accused of."

Mrs Goodwin revealed that since the court case, she has talked to one of the complainants and that they are now on good terms.

"He has even trimmed my hedge," she said. "Unfortunately, I am stopped from approaching the other neighbour because of the court injunction.

"But all I want to do is start a clean slate and convince her that I am not the troublemaker she says I am. Westlea have said that they will be moving me perhaps to Lacock, but I don't deserve that. I have a home here that I love. I just wish I could be left to get on with it, instead of being victimised like this."

A Westlea spokesman said: "We will be offering Mrs Goodwin alternative accommodation as soon as something suitable becomes available. Those who feel they have cause for complaint on anti-social behaviour by tenants should contact us. Our Housing Helpline is (01249) 466150."