Academic avoids jail in neighbour harassment case
A74-YEAR-OLD academic has for now avoided prison for harassing her neighbours by sending them abusive letters on a ‘‘daily’’ basis.
Dr Elizabeth Hall, from Edgbaston, was handed a six-month jail sentence suspended for two years at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
It came after she had previously been found guilty of three charges of harassment following a trial, as reported in last week’s Post.
But next month the disabled pensioner will learn her fate for breaching a restraining order in relation to one of the victims, with the prospect of prison looming.
Wheelchair user Hall has been feuding with fellow residents at Melville Hall, in Holly Road, Edgbaston, for decades.
The latest offences relate to a number of incidents last year.
Prosecutor Ros Butler told the court she sent ‘‘daily’’ letters containing ‘‘abusive content’’ to her neighbour Margaret Wheeler, after ‘‘falsely accusing’’ her of throwing dog excrement over her balcony.
Another row erupted when the victim pruned some overgrown ivy in the communal garden area. Ms Wheeler claimed Hall started getting ‘‘personal’’ and even blamed her for her brotherin-law taking his own life.
Whilst in October last year she received a WhatsApp picture message from the defendant which contained a photograph of her in the garden.
Fellow neighbour Christine Penny has also been the recipient of ‘‘nasty’’ letters, whilst Hall ‘‘staged’’ a video where she accused her of physical attacks.
Ms Penny’s daughter Louise Sullivan became the third victim in the case as she was accused of being ‘‘in cahoots’’ with her mother.
Hall, a doctor of science, represented herself at the hearing. She stated the case against her was an ‘‘inversion of reality’’ and argued she was the actual victim.
She claimed Ms Penny, who lives above her, had ‘‘nearly brought the ceiling down on three occasions’’ with DIY work and that she used to blast Frank Sinatra’s My Way at ‘‘150 decibels’’.
Hall said: “I have become the subject of pack mentality. I first moved in there with my mother.
“We never made any complaint, never confronted her at any point.
We said live and let live. I have lived in a flat since I was 18 and have never had a problem with neighbours. It’s Christine I’m afraid.
“All I have done throughout this period is send them copies of letters. There has been no abuse or comments about families.”
After several warnings from the magistrates that the allegations had already been proven, Hall added: “It’s not harassment; it’s demonisation. I’m being hounded by these people.”
On top of her suspended sentence Hall was told to pay £600 in prosecution costs and a £128 victim surcharge. Restraining orders were granted in relation to the three victims.
The Chair of the Bench said: “These matters of harassment are
so serious that we feel custody is the only option available to us. You have previous convictions for similar offences.
“You have shown a history of none-compliance with court orders. These particular offences are the result of persistent actions over a prolonged period during which you pursued a course of conduct designed to cause maximum distress.
“Because of your age and infirmity, we have decided to suspend your sentence.”
Hall has been convicted of harassing Ms Penny and breaching a restraining order in relation to her on-going crown court case.
Earlier this month a judge adjourned sentencing for the defendant to speak to the probation service as well as to establish if there have been any repeat incidents in the last 12 months.
Sentencing is now set to take place on July 5.