A MUM who put a Christmas card smeared with cat faeces through a neighbour’s letterbox has been fined.

Tanya Tobin admitted posting the card through the letterbox of Maria Jones on December 20.

The Picket Post resident reappeared before Basingstoke magistrates on Tuesday for sentencing.

The court heard how the 26-year-old, of Picket Road, crossed out the printed message on the card, replacing the sentiment with the words “your lies smell like cat s***”.

She smeared it with faeces then posted it through the door of Miss Jones and her partner Matthew Terry.

Fiona McMurray prosecuting, said: “There had been an argument over some parking and that led to an assault on the part of Miss Tobin on a Mr Terry.”

Mum-of-three Tobin admitted to the assault and was given a conditional discharge by magistrates in February.

She was also made the subject of a restraining order preventing her from contacting Mr Terry.

Reading out a victim impact statement by Miss Jones, Miss McMurray said: “I feel like I cannot enjoy my house or family life because they are watching me and my family. I feel I cannot go out for fear of meeting them.”

Natalie Cheesman, defending, described the situation as a “long-running neighbour dispute” that got out of hand.

She told the court the unneighbourly conduct was not one-sided and that numerous complaints had been made by both parties to Sentinel Housing.

Miss Cheesman said: “Miss Tobin appreciates it is a serious offence and its effect on Miss Jones and Mr Terry.

“Her mental health issues have deteriorated since the birth of her third child. She has been diagnosed with postnatal depression and they are looking into whether she is bipolar.”

Tobin wept as Miss Cheesman told the court the couple had been served with an eviction notice and the stress of the situation had caused her and partner Patrick Lindley to separate.

Lindley was also convicted earlier this week of assaulting Mr Terry on December 15. He will be sentenced in April.

Tobin was fined £40, ordered to pay costs of £30 and a victim surcharge of £20.