A NEIGHBOUR menace has one word to say to nearby residents whose lives she made a misery - "sorry!"

Katrina Minns now wants to apologise to neighbours she has been banned from approaching after her antics led a court to order her from her home on Fossway, York.

As reported, York County Court heard about her campaign of harassment, antisocial behaviour and nuisance spanning five years.

Seventeen people had complained about her with allegations including threatening to make a woman miscarry, throwing rubbish at neighbours' windows and ordering goods in other people's names. Even a criminal antisocial behaviour order (CRASBO) failed to stop her.

Accepting that her past behaviour has caused upset, she insisted she is not guilty of every accusation fired at her.

"I agree I have made people's lives difficult," said Mrs Minns who lives with husband William James. "I have apologised to some already, and I would apologise through the Evening Press to those I am not allowed to speak to."

But she said she was now being verbally abused whenever she ventured out.

"I am being shouted at in the street. People blame me for things now because of what I have done in the past. I can't stand at a bus stop without someone saying I am staring at them when I'm not. I am being unfairly treated by people who won't leave me alone. It is all right for people to bug me, but I have to ignore them."

Claiming that one motorist tried to run her down on a crossing, she said: "He never stopped so I had to step backwards. When he sees me he shouts 'neighbour from hell'. I am a nice person when you get to know me."

Recorder Paul Miller ordered the couple to leave their council flat within ten weeks. If Mrs Minns is gone for good within 42 days, Mr Minns can ask the judge to allow him to stay.

"I have been in touch with B&Bs," said Mrs Minns who wants to remain close-by. "Jim wants to keep the flat. The council has split us up. It is upsetting. We have been married six years."

Mrs Minns said she had admitted to about 70 alleged incidents before the court simply to help her bid to stay. Now she is refuting several allegations, such as writing insulting letters. "I can't really write so there's no way I could have done that."

She also blames mental health problems for some of her problems. "I suffer from delusions, hearing and seeing things that aren't there. No one would get me help. But it was agreed in court they will allow me to go for a mental health assessment. I am waiting for an appointment."

'We can't forgive what she did'

NEIGHBOURS who were targeted by Katrina Minns have said they do not accept her apology.

Carl Greenwood and his family were moved out of their flat in Fossway for their own safety a year ago.

He said when his girlfriend, Kelly Hunter, became pregnant with son Leon, Mrs Minns mounted a hate campaign against the family, threatening to make Miss Hunter miscarry.

Mr Greenwood, now living in Clifton, said: "I don't believe her - I think she's a compulsive liar.

"I've heard that she's caused the same type of trouble in other places she's lived.

"I'd like to commend all the people at the council, the community action team and the police officers involved.

"And also warn who ever gets stuck with her next."

Wheelchair-bound Alanna Kertland revealed that only two days after her appearance in court, Mrs Minns continued her campaign of harassment, scrawling a profanity on Ms Kertland's kitchen window.

She said: "I don't accept her apology because she hasn't changed her ways.

"When she first came to live here, people warned me about her, and I thought I'd give her a chance.

"I wish I hadn't now."

Updated: 12:29 Friday, March 31, 2006