A WOMAN was acquitted of racially aggravated harassment and intimidation charges yesterday after a judge ruled the evidence against her was inconsistent.

Judge Helen Mifflin directed the jury in the trail of Geraldine O’Connel at Newport Crown Court to find her not guilty of two charges relating to alleged abuse towards her neighbour Suzi Ahmed.

Miss Ahmed had alleged that Ms O’Connel, 46, called her racist names on several occasions last August and September in Cambria Close, Caerleon, where both live, and made comments such as "go back to your own country" and "this is not the country you belong in".

But Judge Mifflin said Miss Ahmed’s evidence was inconsistent and did not match up with evidence given by her next-door neighbour Peter Harris.

She said although Mr Harris recalled a heated argument between the pair he could say that he heard any racist abuse, which undermined Miss Ahmed's evidence that she had witnesses to the racist comments. Judge Mifflin said the other matter she had had to consider was whether her evidence was so inconsistent and muddled that a jury could convict O’Connel on that evidence.

She said: “I have found as a matter of law that Miss Ahmed was inconsistent in nature of cross examination and her evidence generally so that it would be difficult for you to be satisfied that she is a truthful witness and that the account she gave was both consistent and truthful.”

In respect of the charge of intimidation Judge Mifflin said both the prosecution and defence counsel agreed there was no evidence to support the claim.

Ms O’Connel was acquitted of all charges.