‘Hydrangea rage’ granny, 87, faces jail over rant at neighbour

 
National News and Pictures
National News and Pictures
25 April 2012
WEST END FINAL

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An 87-year-old grandmother launched a 20-minute tirade of abuse at her neighbours after she caught them cutting down her prized hydrangea bush, a court heard today.

Furious Margaret Perry screamed obscenities at Brian Kelly as he trimmed her “pride and joy” before threatening to cut his internet cable.

Retired council worker Perry is now facing a possible jail sentence after breaching an earlier restraining order imposed last year to curb her anti-social behaviour.

Mr Kelly claimed he was merely cutting the plant back as it had grown into his garden and was blocking the sunlight from reaching his tomato plants.

Perry was given the order after stealing pot plants, telling Mr Kelly and his wife Marion, who are Irish, to “go back to where you came from”, and throwing water over a visiting workman before chasing him off with a broom.

The latest outburst in August last year took place outside her home in Cheam, Surrey, where she has lived for 40 years, and was said to be in breach of the restraining order.

Perry, who worked for the old Greater London Council, admitted a charge of harassment at Croydon magistrates’ court. Sentencing was adjourned until June to allow reports to be prepared.

Asked if she understood what was happening, Perry replied: “You don’t want to know my opinion.”

During previous hearings Perry had to be warned to keep quiet and during one outburst told magistrates: “What am I supposed to do? He cut my flowers.”

She is now banned from speaking to her neighbours. When it was explained to her, she said: “I must not say a word and they can do what they want?”

Chairman of the bench, Maureen Pool, told Perry: “You cannot go around breaking the law, even if you are 87. Your neighbours have the right to live in peace and tranquillity. This must stop. Get on with your own life and let them got on with theirs.”

As she left the courtroom following today’s hearing Perry, who was accompanied by two relatives, muttered: “Well, that was a waste of time.”

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