Widow facing bankruptcy in bitter war with neighbour over £300 privacy fence that ‘ruined her life’
A WIDOW is facing bankruptcy in a bitter war with her neighbour over a £300 privacy fence that "ruined her life".
The 79-year-old said she's been left "completely destroyed" after a lengthy court battle with her neighbour Alexander Miles left her £20,000 in debt.
Muriel Middle, a retired childminder and beautician from Pontyclun South Wales, said her daughter has since had to buy her property to save her from bankruptcy.
The dispute started when Alexander built an extension in his back garden and removed part of the fence between the two houses so he could access a drainpipe.
Muriel insisted the drainpipe was on her land and instructed a contractor to come and fill the gaps in the fence she said belonged to her.
Alexander wrote to the retired child minder threatening her with court action over the interference, which he said had left him unable to access the drainpipe.
Read more on Money
The panels Muriel had had put in, he argued, were also not in keeping with the rest of the fence.
After unsuccessfully trying to resolve the issue themselves, the row was brought before Cardiff Civil Justice court last summer, where Alexander sought damage repayments.
Muriel argued the panels provided privacy and security but according to Alexander's solicitors, the work carried out by the childminder's contractor could have weakened the foundations of the fence.
A hearing later determined the fence the legal property of Alexander.
Most read in Money
The septuagenarian was ordered to pay £15,000 of his legal costs, which has since grown to £20,000.
In a statement read in court and shared with e, Muriel said: “How I find myself in court defending myself I do not understand.
"I have done nothing wrong and broken no laws. I’ve not had the easiest life.
"My first daughter and my husband died and I was left to raise my remaining daughter on my own.
"As devastating as that was I can honestly say I have never encountered the stress this has put me under.”
She later said: “I’ve scrimped and saved all my life. I’ve worked 53 years to make sure I could leave Sam a property without a mortgage and this has forced me into a situation where I’ve lost that.
“That really sticks in my throat. I’ve never been in debt in my life to now. I’m so upset about it.
"It’s left me in such a state. This whole thing has completely destroyed me. I now don’t do anything at all.”
Alexander said the court’s judgement was clear and he did not want to be quoted further.
