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National
Ian Johnson

Woman grows hedge 'to stop man looking in' as neighbour dispute turns ugly

A neighbour left one woman so scared she grew her hedge to stop him peeping in her home, a court heard.

Stephen Miller, of Slatyford, Newcastle, also banged on bins and hurled abuse towards his neighbours.

The dad-of-two even called one a "pervert" - even though it is Miller who has a previous conviction for soliciting prostitues.

During a week, the 57-year-old repeatedly flouted not one but two restraining orders which left one victim spooked.

"I feel intimated and frightened of him," said one to police.

"He makes us feel miserable and I feel trapped in my own home.

"I'm worried about what's going to happen next - I don't know why he's doing it."

The drama unfolded last November in Ambleside Green, five months after magistrates imposed the orders.

South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court heard the pair had "numerous issues" with Miller.

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But the orders didn't stop Miller, who told one victim: "You think you are clever, don't you?"

More remarks were made during the course of the week, the court heard.

In total, he breached his restraining orders four times.

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Mitigating, Alana Wessencraft branded it a "neighbour dispute".

But she claimed married Miller and his two kids had been on the receiving end too, adding: "Their lives are also being made a misery."

The defendant was convicted of the four breaches in absence after failing to attend court.

Appearing in handcuffs after being remanded, he listened on as the point of his restraining order was questioned by a victim.

"He's got a restraining order and it is doing no good," she said, adding his actions had wasted police resources - and forced her into desperate measures.

"I've had to grow the hedge longer just to stop him looking into my house." 

Magistrates fined unemployed Miller £120 and ordered him to pay £80 costs an a £30 charge.

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