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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Glyn Bellis & Phil Cardy

Elderly couple admit assault after soaking next-door neighbour with hosepipe

An elderly couple who squirted their next-door neighbour with a hosepipe have admitted assault.

Barry and Hellyne Lee, both 72, were caught on camera soaking 71-year-old Harold Burrows.

A court heard Mr Lee mocked Mr Burrows, saying: “He likes getting wet, this little man.”

The Lees are in a long-running dispute with former friend Harold and his wife Jean, 70.

The row flared when they were cleaning their drive and waste water ran on the Burrows’ property in Denbigh, North Wales.

The Lees were summoned to Llandudno Magistrates Court on Friday where they admitted common assault. They were each given a two-year restraining order and 12-month conditional discharges.

The Lees were spotted soaking their neighbour Harold Burrows (andrew@viewfinderpictures.co.uk)

The row flared when waste water ran on to Harold’s property when the Lees were cleaning their drive.

Their lawyer Robert Vickery told JPs: “This is certainly, in my nearly 40 years experience, the first time I have ever dealt with an assault by water from a hosepipe.”

Barry and Hellyne Lee arriving in court (© Andrew Price / View Finder Pi)

The court was told Harold and charity shop volunteer wife Jean, 70, had been involved in a lengthy dispute with the Lees.

Jean was said to have been branded a ‘witch’ and a ‘moron’ - and police mediation with the former pals had failed.

Prosecutor Ms Galston added: “The incident has had a huge effect on Mr and Mrs Burrows.”

Harold and Jean Burrows were attacked by their neighbour after a land dispute (© Andrew Price / View Finder Pi)

The Lees - with no previous convictions - were give a two-year restraining order and given 12-month conditional discharges.

After the hearing Harold said: “It’s been a nightmare living next door. I will be glad when they sell up.”

Jean added: “We just want to live in peace. We have a nice home and want to stay there.”

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