Sandra Durdin, 58, and her ex-partner Trevor Dempsey, 63, have denied harassing their ex-neighbour Joanne Shreeves
(Picture: PA)A former couple have denied putting up clowns and dolls on their neighbour’s fence during a campaign of harassment lasting more than a year, a court has heard.
Sandra Durdin, 58, and her ex-partner Trevor Dempsey, 63, are also said to have parked vehicles on Joanne Shreeves’ drive in Chingford.
The pair were also accused of flooding Ms Shreeves’ alleyway and attaching barbed wire onto garden fencing in a long-running feud between June 2020 and last August.
They were due to stand trial at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Monday after each denying a charge of harassment but Phil Emery, defending Mr Dempsey, said Ms Durdin had contracted Covid and was unable to attend.
Ms Durdin has also pleaded not guilty to criminal damage after allegedly destroying a £1,350 CCTV camera belonging to Ms Shreeves, the couple’s neighbour for over four decades.
Prosecutor Lucy McGarr said the claims against the former couple included “putting up clowns and dolls on (their neighbour’s) fence” and “spraying hose water onto their house”.
The case was adjourned for a review ahead of a further hearing on May 3 at Thames Magistrates’ Court.
District Judge Jane McIvor directed the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to decide “whether it is in the public interest to continue” with proceedings ahead of that date.
Mr Dempsey spoke only to confirm his details and tell the court he has now separated from Ms Durdin.
The defendants - both of whom are on bail - have both moved to Ramsgate, a previous hearing was told.
They will not be required to attend on May 3.
