A woman who neighbours claim made their lives resemble an episode of The Jeremy Kyle Show has been evicted after a three-year court battle.

Mel Bastow has been removed from her home in Bramley Road, Snodland, after living there for seven years.

Neighbours said fights, threats and vandalism became commonplace during her time on the street.

Metal post boxes had to be installed on neighbouring properties after alleged firebomb threats.

These led to Mrs Bastow being arrested, but no further action was taken due to lack of evidence.

One resident said: “Finally we can have some peace and quiet without the police turning up constantly and fights kicking off. It was like living opposite Jeremy Kyle’s show.

“Bringing children up near that is so difficult. My daughter would look out of the window and ask why there were police outside. How do you explain that to a child?”

But Mrs Bastow, 38, said she was made to feel like a prisoner in her own home, claiming her life was made hell by people from outside the area banging on her front door 24 hours a day.

“Finally we can have some peace and quiet without the police turning up constantly and fights kicking off. It was like living opposite Jeremy Kyle’s show." — A Bramley Road resident

She said: “I don’t blame my neighbours at all. If I was them, I’d want to get rid of me too.

“If you have a house that attracts that kind of attention in your street you are not going to be happy about it. I’ve wanted to move for ages to get away from the trouble. I’ve been in and out of hospital and hopefully I’ll be able start a new life.

“No matter what people say about me, I’m not a bad person.”

A spokesman for Moat said: “There have been repeated complaints from the local community regarding Mel Bastow.

“We have made regular visits to the property and worked with police to try and resolve the issues.

“Unfortunately the incidents continued, resulting in the eviction.

“While it is always a last resort for us, this resident’s behaviour had a hugely negative impact on her neighbours.

“In this case, the eviction was to the benefit of the wider community and we’re grateful for their support.”

Today number 40 remains as a reminder of the impact the mother-of-one had on the quiet, suburban neighbourhood.

A pile of rubbish flanks the boarded-up entrance, with a notice stuck to the door warning Mrs Bastow that unless she takes the rest of her property by Thursday it will be destroyed.

The Moat house is the only property owned by the housing association in Bramley Road. It is being prepared for a new family.

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