A WOMAN who harassed her neighbour by waving a giant inflatable penis at him while screaming abuse has narrowly avoided jail. 

Kim Rachael Rivers appeared before Southampton Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with harassment following three incidents between June 17 and July 7, 2016. 

District Judge Anthony Callaway handed her a 12-month community order, which requires her to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, alongside a five- year restraining order.

The judge warned Rivers, who pleaded guilty, that he very nearly sent her to prison.

The court heard two of the incidents involved alcohol although the 42-year-old, who represented herself, claimed she did not have a drink problem but did smoke cannabis daily and was not "ready to stop".

The mother-of-three, who lives on her own in a three-bedroom council house Kendal Avenue, Southampton claimed she had ongoing problems with the neighbour, with whom she used to be friends.

Rivers told the court she suffered with depression and anxiety which had been worse by her falling out with her neighbour.

Prosecuting Rachel Standish said that on June 16 the victim heard a noise outside at about 8pm and when he went to look out the window, he saw the defendant waving a giant inflatable penis at him and using offensive language, told him to "take a good ******* look at this".

The court heard how the neighbour thought the behaviour was childish he drew his curtains and ignored her. 

On July 5, the victim was walking down the street with his seven-year-old daughter on his shoulders when Rivers began to shout abuse at him, every word of which was heard by the child.

The court heard that the victim did not rise to the taunts but was angered and upset by the way Rivers had acted in front of his daughter.

In her defence Rivers said: "On the 17th it was my birthday. I just wanted to have a laugh. I did not mean to do it. I am not a horrible person."

Judge Callaway asked Rivers if he should give her three months in prison and the defendant sobbed and asked for him not to impose prison sentence because of her children.

The Judge told her: "All the time it is a joke on other people. I think it is down right disgusting. It is about time we make an example out of you.

"But I think it is time for you to do some work for the community. I am not going to send you to prison.

"I think your time would be better spent giving something back – hopefully this will teach you. If not I will remember you if you come back before me again."