What started as a small argument over a narrow strip of land has escalated into a legal saga with life-changing consequences.
Jenny Field, 77, has been evicted from her £420,000 Poole bungalow after a bitter five-year dispute with her neighbour over a one-foot-wide section of land finally came to a dramatic conclusion.
The Long-Running Legal Battle
The row began in 2020 when neighbour Pauline Clark, 64, erected a boundary fence between their properties.
Ms Field claimed the fence encroached 12 inches onto her land and had it removed, sparking a legal confrontation that would last half a decade.
Courts repeatedly ruled in Mrs Clark’s favour, ordering Ms Field to cover both the cost of the fence and a large portion of Mrs Clark’s legal fees.
Despite the rulings, Ms Field continued to fight. She lodged multiple appeals, alleging fraud and insisting her neighbour was in the wrong.
These legal challenges ballooned her debt to a staggering £113,000.
A county court judge ultimately dismissed her final appeal last September, describing it as “totally without merit,” and set a payment deadline of December 6.
Eviction Drama on a Quiet Street
This morning, bailiffs arrived at Ms Field’s home to enforce the court’s order.
She refused to answer the door, shouting at officers to leave her alone.
Eventually, a locksmith had to cut the locks to gain entry.
Ms Field stepped outside in her slippers to argue her case but was refused re-entry, though she will be allowed back to collect her belongings.
Meanwhile, Mrs Clark, who watched the eviction from her garden, chose not to comment, while her son-in-law acknowledged the emotional toll: “There is relief, but she doesn’t know what will happen next.
It’s not nice to see someone get evicted, and we wish it didn’t come to this.”
How a Small Fence Sparked a Major Dispute
The feud centered around a seemingly insignificant 12-inch encroachment.
After the initial fence dispute, Ms Field repeatedly repositioned or removed it, prompting Mrs Clark to pursue legal action.
The court ruled in Mrs Clark’s favour each time, and Ms Field was ordered to pay the costs associated with the fence and the legal fees—a total that eventually soared past £100,000.
Judge Ross Fentem described the eviction as a “draconian order” but emphasized that it was a last resort, stating that Ms Field had ample opportunity to settle her debt.
Ms Field’s Reaction
Ms Field, a divorcee who bought the property in 2016, expressed her devastation: “They’ve changed the locks and won’t let me back in.
How can I be evicted for something I haven’t done? I have nowhere else to go. This is my home and my property. I’ve been put through hell by that b**** next door.”
She even stuck a sign on her door claiming harassment and insisting that any eviction attempt was invalid. After being removed, she repeatedly rang the doorbell to be let back inside.
Legal Experts on the Case
Mrs Clark’s solicitor, Anna Curtis, confirmed that Ms Field will be allowed to return to collect her belongings.
She also highlighted that Ms Field had enough equity in her home to pay off the debt and still retire comfortably.
Judge Fentem noted the prolonged nature of the dispute: “Every attempt to relitigate has failed.
She appears to be convinced some form of fraud has taken place, but there is no evidence.
The order for sale is a last resort, but taking all factors into account, it is the only way to resolve the matter.”
What Happens Next
With Ms Field evicted and the home set to be sold to cover her debts, the bitter boundary feud that started over a single foot of land is finally drawing to a close.
While Mrs Clark can breathe a sigh of relief, for Ms Field, the emotional and financial toll of this long-running dispute is only beginning to settle.
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