An “evil” troll who claimed a primary school in Hampstead, north London, was at the centre of a satanic cult that cooked babies and ate them has been jailed for nine years.

Sabine McNeill’s actions forced innocent children to change their names, carry tracking devices and practise panic drills, a court heard.

The 74-year-old, described as one of the UK’s worst trolls, perpetuated “baseless” allegations about families whose lives had been “ruined”.

Southwark Crown Court heard that McNeill had led a campaign to uncover claims of devil worship, child rape and murder at the school, harassing four mothers who now live in fear of violent reprisals.

Judge Sally Cahill, QC told the weeping pensioner: “This case has to be one of the most serious cases of stalking and breach of a restraining order that there can be.

“The direct consequences of your actions, is that for the four families concerned you have ruined all normal family life.

“The allegations were of murder, cannibalism, satanism and sexual abuse. They could not be more serious or vile.

“The children's lives have been blighted forever. In my judgment you are an arrogant, malicious, evil and manipulative woman.”

Material relating to two children who claimed that they had been abused by paedophiles and were part of a satanic cult was "published and re-published widely" on the internet, the court heard.