Couple in court over slanging matches with killer neighbour
A MARRIED couple became embroiled in a ‘childlike’ tit-for-tat neighbours’ war with a convicted killer and his wife who lived next door, a court heard.
Mum-of-three Vanessa Keeton hurled a carton of orange juice at the home of Paul Sharpe and called him a ‘f***ing murderer’ after he branded her convicted kidnapper husband Michael a ‘paedo’ at a BBQ.
During a string of shouting matches between the Stockport neighbours, Mr Keeton also claimed Mr Sharpe’s wife ‘put cigarettes out on babies’ while Mrs Keeton, 32, accused the pair of hurling food over their fence into their garden. Police who investigated the bizarre feud discovered Mr Keeton, 35, had previously been convicted of child abduction. He was given a three-year community order after snatching a toddler from a house, the court was told.
Details of Mr Sharpe’s murder conviction were not disclosed at the hearing at Stockport magistrates court. The court heard the Keetons used to get along with Mr Sharpe’s wife before he moved into the property.
Nick Smart, prosecuting, said incidents took place on May 25 and August 28 during a barbecue. Simon Morton, defending, said: “The Keetons say they have only done to the Sharpes what the Sharpes have done to them. They have made complaints to the police who have not followed them up with investigations whilst the complainants have had their reports actioned.”
Mr Morton, who described the incidents as ‘childlike,’ added: “As regards the August 28 incident, the complainant called Michael a ‘paedo,’ referring to a previous conviction relating to a child kidnap. They only responded with their own insults.
“Although the insults were unpleasant, they were fair comment. Paul had spent an extended sentence in prison for murder.
“They Keetons have now moved almost 50 miles away to Burnley in Lancashire and are out of harms way, so I don’t believe a restraining order will serve purpose in this case.”
Mr Keeton was told to keep quiet after frequently disrupting the court during proceedings.
The Keetons, of Grange Street, Burnley, both admitted threatening behaviour. Vanessa also pleaded guilty to criminal damage.
Both were conditionally discharged for 12 months. No restraining order was imposed between the parties. Vanessa was made to pay costs of £107 while Michael was told to pay £111.