A WOMAN was driven to drink by abusive neighbours and cracked, breaking down a door to attack one of them, a court has heard.

Detective Constable Grant Welbourne told Basildon Crown Court today (Thursday) that Debbie White, accused of a hammer attack on her teenage neighbour, had told him her life had become intolerable.

He said White, 36, of Crouch Road, Chadwell St Mary, lived in the street for five years and it had been peaceful until Sarah Clarke and her family, including 18-year-old Victoria Richards, moved next door in late June 2007.

DC Welbourne, of Grays CID, said White had told him her problems began in July when she saw Miss Clarke's children looking into parked cars. She said she was met by a tirade of abuse and a similar outburst when she spoke to Miss Clarke.

Interviewed after the alleged attack on attack, which happened on July 20, White had said she had documented a series of incidents including stones being thrown at her car, a lighter dowsed in petrol being thrown into her garden, taunts that White would be evicted, her children beaten up and her cars destroyed.

DC Welbourne told the court that White described herself as living in a state of siege and put her children into the care of friends.

On the day of the alleged attack on Victoria Richards she told him she went on a drinking binge before she went next door, broke down the door and attacked Miss Richards before returning home to call the police and admit what she had done.

DC Welbourne said he pressed White several times as to whether she could recall using a hammer during the attack but she said she could not.

Questioned by prosecutor Lesli Sternberg QC DC Welbourne confirmed that none of the alleged incidents of anti-social behaviour by the Clarke family led to formal charges being made.

DC Welbourne told the court White was not the only neighbour to complain regarding the Clarke family.

Quizzed by defence counsel Matthew Morgan the detective also confirmed that, despite extensive searches, no hammer was found.

White denies aggravated burglary, causing actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon.

The case continues.