A goose-stepping 80-year-old who repeatedly praised Hitler has been handed an Asbo.

Edna Beck, who walks with a Zimmer frame, tormented people living in her block of flats in Hove.

Police reports dating back to 2004 revealed she shouted out “Heil Hitler” a number of times.

Youngsters were described as being “terrified” of her and she asked a group playing outside if they were “Hitler's children”.

Grey-haired Beck also insulted gay people, Muslims, Jews, Germans and Poles. On one occasion she threw her soiled underwear out of the window.

She also pushed over a visitor's motorbike, threatened to punch people and stole or hid neighbour's post. She would also scrawl graffiti on people's mail.

But yesterday she was handed an interim antisocial behaviour order and told to behave.

Brighton Magistrates' Court was told yesterday that Beck particularly targeted the woman living opposite her, leaving her “depressed and suicidal”.

Mike Tyler, prosecuting on behalf of the council, was told that Beck would shout and sing for up to six hours.

She made Nazi salutes and on one occasion goose-stepped behind a visitor.

Residents made a total of 49 complaints about her to the council while more were made to Sussex Police and the management company for the block where she lived in Tisbury Road.

But even being arrested and not stopped Beck from abusing her neighbours an average of three times every week.

Mr Tyler said: “When challenged she treats her behaviour as a joke and relishes in the misery she causes.

“She has left neighbours depressed and suicidal.

“She will continue to perpetrate antisocial behaviour wherever she lives.

“There is an urgent need to protect the community.”

PC Kevin Michnowicz, the Brighton antisocial behaviour coordinator, described Beck as “racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic.”

One neighbour told The Argus: “She just seems to hate everyone.”

Magistrates handed her an interim Asbo banning her from inciting hatred, being drunk and disorderly and shouting to cause alarm until an application for a full hearing is considered in September Speaking outside court, Beck said: “I've never been anti anything in my life. I'm for everything.

“I'm not antisocial. I'm a normal woman and everyone can tell you that.”

Ben Duncan, the council's cabinet member for communities, equalities and public protection, said: ”We have not taken this action lightly and have done everything we can to avoid it, but Ms Beck has left us with no option.

“We sincerely hope that she will now consider the serious nature of her behaviour and of the implications should she continue to behave in this manner.”