The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Fence row man to appeal verdict
NEIGHBOUR JAILED AFTER BEING FOUND GUILTY OF ASSAULT
A MAN jailed after he was found guilty of attacking a pensioner over a row about a fence is launching a bid to clear his name.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how Brian Saunders left Wendy Douglas with a fractured eye socket, broken collar bone and broken ribs during an incident at her Newcastle home.
Jurors heard how Ms Douglas and Saunders’ parents, who lived next door to her in Kingston Park, became embroiled in a dispute over a fence and an ivy bush.
Events came to a head on June 12, 2021, when Ms Douglas started trimming a bush she claims was in her garden. She told the court her neighbour came out and began shouting at her before going back to his property, he then returned and demanded the cuttings from the plant. Ms Douglas, who was 68 at the time, told the court Saunders later arrived at his parents’ house and after a conversation about putting up a new fence he assaulted her.
The court heard Saunders denied the allegations and that Ms Douglas suffered the injuries after she tripped over a dog trying to get up from a sun lounger before falling into a plant pot and suffering what appeared to be a fit.
During evidence, Saunders said he’d tried to help the pensioner back up and she was screeching “absolute histrionics” to get the attention of people.
The jury heard from pathologist Dr Peter Cooper who told the court the victim suffered two types of bleeding to the eye, one on the surface of the eye and the other deep in the chamber of the eye. He said they were injuries he’d normally associate with a punch rather than a fall.
Following the trial, Saunders, of Melness Road, Hazlerigg, was jailed for three years and nine months in January after a jury found him guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. But now the 52-year-old is appealing his conviction, the Chronicle understands.
In addition to the prison sentence Judge Sarah Mallett imposed a restraining order that prohibits Saunders from communicating with Ms Douglas directly or indirectly for 10 years.