A WOMAN convicted of attacking her brother with sticks of rhubarb has failed in a bid to reduce a six-year anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) imposed on her by magistrates.

Counsel for Margaret Elaine Porter, 51, had argued that the Asbo, designed to prevent her from assaulting and harassing family and neighbours as well as damaging property, was draconian in its length and should be cut to two years.

But the judge, Recorder Tim Hirst, said a two-year order would be unduly short and dismissed the appeal.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Porter's behaviour had brought fear to the North Yorkshire communities of Askrigg and Newbiggin, in Upper Wensleydale. She was described as "out of control" and a violent bully.

Harvey Murray, for the Crown, outlined incidents involving Porter - who is said to suffer from an untreatable paranoid personality disorder - which included:

* Accusing local farmer Thomas Fawcett of being a "cat killer"

* Shouting "lambs testicles" at Mr Fawcett's wife, Phillipa, and calling her a bitch

* Repeatedly banging on the door and making phone calls at all hours to the home of village police officer Dave Cousins and his wife, Hannah.

One witness statement described how Porter was "one minute fine and the next minute raging".

He said: "It is like flicking a switch with her."

In another, Louise Handley, the partner of Porter's son, Anthony, whose property she is barred from entering under the terms of the Asbo, said she had kept a diary of the harassment she had endured, which was ruining her life.

Mr Murray said: "The local community have suffered her behaviour for far too long.

"They feel she is out of control and have concerns that somebody could eventually be seriously injured."

Porter, of Tofts Farm, Newbiggin, near Leyburn, was sentenced to 40 hours community service in March for flinging sticks of rhubarb at her 72-year-old brother, William, after she accused him of laughing at her.

Jim Withyman, mitigating, argued: "The order is simply too long and unfair on the appellant.

"It is extremely draconian, lasts until 2011, and also concerns her son and daughter-in-law and five year-old grandson."

Dismissing the appeal, the judge said he believed the order imposed by magistrates was perfectly accurate in all the circumstances.

Porter, who declined to comment as she left court, was also ordered to pay £200 costs.