A nuisance neighbour has been fined and sentenced in Court, after she was found guilty of harassing a UK family and their young children by continually littering in their garden and causing a disturbance.
A Court heard that Ms Tracy Ann Reid, Southport, would regularly dump her rubbish and recycling in the garden of neighbours, Michelle and Vincent Luk.
The 50-year-old nuisance neighbour, who lives alone, was allegedly provoked by jealousy – after the Luk family were granted planning permission for a loft extension which would “make their house bigger than hers”.
A Court was told that the neighbour’s behaviour was “distressing” for the Luk family’s children – one of whom is disabled.
CCTV footage revealed evidence of Ms Reid throwing debris and household rubbish into the their garden, fiddling with a security camera Mr Luk had installed – and even climbing over the Luks’ adjoining garden wall in an attempt to take unsolicited photographs.
A Court was told that Ms Reid’s unusual dumping habits subsequently scratched Mrs Luk’s car.
The 50-year-old was sentenced to 80 hours unpaid work in Court, narrowly avoiding criminal damage charges. She was also ordered to pay £1160 in compensation and Court costs.
A disgruntled Mr Luk said: “As a family we feel persecuted by her. We have been constantly on edge at home and unable to relax.
“Our quality of life has been severely affected,” he added.