A Welsh woman has been convicted of racism after calling her English neighbour a "dirty immigrant" during a parking row.
Ellen Jones, 66, flew into a rage with her English-born neighbour - telling him: "Go back to where you came from you dirty immigrant."
Jones was found guilty of using racially aggravated language and threatening and abusive words towards neighbour Ben McLean.
A court heard the pair had been neighbours in quiet Carno, Powys, for five years.
Helen Tench, prosecuting, said Jones is Welsh and Mr McLean was born in England.
She said: "Mr McLean and his family had received the abuse from Jones over a period of three years after a parking dispute, but had tried to stay on good terms."
But Jones was allegedly was drunk when she yelled at him to go "back to where you came from you dirty immigrant".
Mr McLean found the remarks offensive - and it caused his wife to "become anxious".
Another time Jones was alleged to have shouted about "foreigners coming to this country, moving into our houses".
Mr McLean said: "I am worried about the effect on the children who are already scared of her.
"I dread coming home from work in case she's at the door. We shouldn't have to live like that."
Paul Inns, defending, said: "Mrs Jones doesn't accept her behaviour amounted to an offence and intends to appeal.
"She has no previous convictions and is a lady of good character, well thought of in the community, and involved in many village activities.
"There is background to the dispute, both parties have complained to the police about one another."
Mr Inns, who read out glowing references from former neighbours of Jones, said that she is likely to lose her job as a support worker in a care home which she has held for 15 years as a result of the conviction.
Chair of the Welshpool magistrates bench Stephen Pembroke gave Jones an 18 month community order and a £262 fine. She will also pay £620 in costs and a £90 victim surcharge.
Jones was also given an 18-month restraining order not to approach Mr McLean's property, and not to approach or communicate with Mr McLean, or his family by any means.
