A WOMAN who repeatedly harassed her elderly parents for money and landed them with taxi bills has been jailed.

Blackburn magistrates also banned Collette Williams from her parents' home for the next two years.

But the magistrates allowed her to have contact with her parents after hearing they were keen to try to help her through her difficulties.

Williams, 51, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to harassing Alan an Marlene Williams between May 14 and May 21.

She was jailed for 12 weeks and ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge. A restraining order which prohibits her from entering Brunshaw Avenue, Burnley, was imposed for two years.

Ann Deakin, prosecuting, said over the course of the week in June Williams had turned up at her parents' house at least once a day but sometimes several times.

She was banging on the door, shouting abuse and making threats. She turned up in taxis and refused to pay the fare which her parents then felt obliged to pay.

“She was being verbally aggressive and threatened to kill them if they didn’t give her money,” said Mrs Deakin. “Her parents felt scared and intimidated and eventually went to the police station to report the situation.”

Nick Dearing, defending, said his client had long standing psychiatric issues.

He said her mother had spoken to him and outlined their deep concerns about their daughter. “They want to be able to help her, they just can’t have her turning up at the house,” said Mr Dearing.