HOMOPHOBIC taunts, firework attacks, constant jibes and intimidation.

Carol Cashmore and Nina Meffen's lives were made a misery by the campaign of harassment that was waged against them.

The couple, who have lived together for five years, endured a catalogue of abuse from youths last year.

Now, two of the ringleaders - two teenage girls - have been found guilty for their parts in the intimidation.

Lydia Jayne Lake, 18, and a 15-year-old schoolgirl who cannot be named for legal reasons, are now awaiting sentence for their crimes. Magistrates refused to lift a court order preventing the younger girl's identity.

The anti-gay hate campaign against Miss Cashmore and Miss Meffen, of Emer Close, North Baddesley, began last July when a 20-year-old man and two teenage girls - including Lake - armed themselves with wooden chair legs and beat the two women until they were barely conscious.

Lake pleaded guilty to affray and was handed a community punishment order and a curfew two months ago for her part in that attack.

Now New Forest magistrates have convicted Lake, a former neighbour of Miss Cashmore, 42, and Miss Meffen, 36, after hearing she was involved in further harassment against the couple between September and November last year.

Incidents included groups of youths hanging around outside the couple's house screaming homophobic insults, and lit fireworks being thrown into the back garden - one hitting a bedroom window.

Miss Cashmore said: "We were feeling persecuted and harassed. It was like having your home invaded - like we were under siege."

Lake, an apprentice administrator, was charged with being involved in two of the offences and the other defendant in all eight. They both denied the the charges.

Lake, who now lives with her boyfriend in John Street, Southampton, claimed the offences had been made up by Miss Cashmore and Miss Meffen.

She said: "They wanted to get me evicted. They could not get the justice from the affray and they wanted to see me in prison."

But magistrates found the pair guilty. Susan Williams, chair of the bench, said: "We found Carol Cashmore and Nina Meffen to be honest and reliable witnesses and we believe their evidence."

Lake will be sentenced at New Forest Magistrates' Court on December 20 and her co-defendant will be sentenced at Southampton Youth Court following a hearing in another case in which she is a defendant.