THE neighbour who said "sorry" for making life hell for her fellow residents has now left her flat - and promised she will not return.

Recorder Paul Miller, at York County Court, warned Katrina Minns, pictured, that she could be jailed if she ventured back to Fossway in the city, or did anything to annoy or disturb her former neighbours.

Her husband, Jim Minns, signed a six-month undertaking to stay out of some blocks of flats in Fossway, including those where Ron Martindale lives, and promised not to be with his wife in Fossway.

The court heard that Mr Minns threatened Mr Martindale, who, with others, provided evidence for City of York Council in an eviction case against the couple. "I hope for the sake of all concerned, particularly the long-suffering former neighbours, that this is the end of this saga," said the judge.

Last March, the council won a court order forcing Mr Minns to leave by June 2, and an agreement that Mrs Minns would leave by May 5.

York County Court had heard allegations of harassment, antisocial behaviour and nuisance spanning five years. Mrs Minns later apologised through The Press.

But neighbours complained to the council that she had continued to cause problems, and Mr Martindale said Mr Minns had threatened him in a friend's flat.

The council took the pair back to court, where Mr Minns' barrister, Piers Hills, said Mrs Minns had left the flat on April 17. She now lives in Acomb.

Mr Minns denied that he had threatened Mr Martindale in a friend's flat in Fossway on April 25. He said he had just used angry words and that Mr Martindale had been swearing and shouting at him.

But the judge believed Mr Martindale, who said he had not sworn or shouted, and that Mr Minns had stood up, made a fist at him and threatened to knock his head off.

The previous day, Mr Martindale had encountered Mrs Minns in Fossway, and the two had exchanged words.

Mrs Minns conceded some of the council's allegations against her. She signed a formal undertaking that she would keep out of Fossway, Sturdee Grove and St Wulstan Close, and would not do anything that would annoy or cause a nuisance or noise for four people she had annoyed in the past, or their families, or anyone lawfully in Fossway.

The undertaking lasts for 12 months, and she could be fined or imprisoned if she breaks it. The judge rejected a bid by the council to make Mr Minns leave before June 2. Mr Minns told the court he was staying with his wife in her new home.

Updated: 09:42 Saturday, May 13, 2006