Pensioner avoids jail after forty-year feud with neighbours
An 89-year-old man from Hebben, South Tyneside, has been convicted of harassing his neighbours - because their garden wasn't pretty enough.
While most people might think that the front garden of Kenneth and Marjorie Mills, both 69, is perfectly neat and tidy, John Bushell disagrees. He claims that the plot is badly maintained - indeed, he once called it a 'midden' - and that it has made his £200,000 home impossible to sell.
The row has been going on ever since the Mills moved into the street in Hebben in 1970. And this new court decision is just the latest of a series which has previously seen Bushell receiving five convictions and even serving time in prison.
A house on Mill Crescent in Hebburn near to the immaculate home of John Bushell, 89
Over the years, he has painted a white wall black and tipped rubbish into nearby gardens. He also arranged guttering to pour water into his neighbour's garden and nailed a plank against the driveway wall.
Indeed, this is the tenth time that Bushell has broken a restraining order, on this occasion threatening to burn down his neighbours' home.
"They were aware that Mr Bushell was in his garden next door and he was heard to shout various things, including saying 'I'm going to get shot of yous, burn your house down before I die', and it seems that those remarks were directed at Mr Mills," said Steven Davies, prosecuting.
A house on Mill Crescent in Hebburn near to the immaculate home of John Bushell, 89
District Judge Helen Cousins suggested that Bushell should consider moving house.
"Your garden looks very beautiful but you can't behave as you did. You have got previous convictions for doing exactly the same thing," she said.
"The two-year suspended sentence should allow you time to sell your house and spend the rest of your life in peace."
Home of John Hebburn, 89
But it appears that the pensioner still stands by his views, telling the Express: "I've taken the house off the market. Who is going to buy it when you see the state of the gardens around here?"
Ironically, it's the Mills family that's much more likely to have difficulty selling their house. It's compulsory to disclose any disputes with neighbours on the Seller's Property Information Form - and buyers can sue if they believe they've been misinformed.
The law isn't precise about what constitutes a dispute, but the fact that this case has involved legal complaints means it would definitely qualify.
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