A 15-year-old Oxford thug waged a six-month hate campaign against a dental nurse and her family.

Kim Harris, 24, told Oxford Youth Court how the Blackbird Leys teenager harassed and threatened her, her father Melvin and her brother James.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, went to her home in Flaxfield Road, Blackbird Leys, on several occasions between June and December with weapons including a metal baseball bat, the court heard.

He threatened to stab James, 23, if the family did not agree a "payment plan".

Miss Harris said: "I had not seen him before and he knocked at my door saying he was going to stab my brother."

The court was told how he smashed the window of Melvin Harris's car, and the rear window of his van.

During June or July and again in December he threatened to set fire to the family home.

Harris said she saw the youth in November "stood by my dad's car smashing the window. I could see his face - he was using a hammer".

Miss Harris said she chased after the youth with a baseball bat because she was angry and had a rush of adrenaline.

Mr Harris told the court: "Our lives have been turned upside down."

Miss Harris and her father believed the youth had a vendetta against her family because about four years ago James Harris used a false name when questioned by police about car crime. The name used was the real name of the brother of the 15-year-old accused's girlfriend - a woman twice his age, the court was told.

The teenager, who had been subject to intensive supervision by Oxfordshire Youth Offending Team, denied harassment and possession of an offensive weapon. He claimed he had not threatened the family and said the baseball bat was for playing baseball.

Magistrates found him guilty of harassment, but not guilty of possessing an offensive weapon, and remanded him in custody for sentencing on February 18.

He admitted breaching a supervision for two charges of robbery, and will be re-sentenced at a later date.