A MUM has told how she was left suicidal over a bitter fence row with her neighbour that last two years.
Emma Miller today cried in court as she spoke about the campaign of harassment and abuse carried out by Alicia Toulmin, 58.
She said that she had dreaded leaving her home in Black Heights, Bradford and lived “in a constant fear of her life”.
She added that the defendant’s behaviour had at one point left her suicidal – after phoning the police weekly for more than two years, reports Yorkshire Live.
The court heard how she was subjected to verbal threats, foul language and had her gate damaged.
She also claimed that Mrs Toulmin had allowed her dogs to foul her garden and would often stand and stare at her.
As a result of Ms Toulmin’s behaviour, she had been arrested 21 times after she was reported by neighbours.
Mrs Miller told Bradford magistrates’ court: “She is volatile and aggressive. She is capable of further harassment.”
She spoke to the court after Toulmin was convicted following a trial in December of using threatening or abusive words to cause harassment and assaulting a police officer who came to arrest her.
Alex Bosman, prosecuting described one incident in particular that happened on April 17 2020.
He explained Toulmin started shouting at Mrs Miller as she chatted to a neighbour, saying: “What do you think you are doing talking to a stranger?”
Later that same day a cop was hit on the arm by Toulmin – who had become upset after she was arrested and told she couldn’t brush her teeth.
He went on to speak about another incident in August 2020, when Toulmin pressed her neighbour’s doorbell numerous times and appeared to be filming the property on her mobile phone.
And later that month Toulmin approached Mrs Miller’s husband Neil, telling him to move his car and saying: “Who the f*** do you think you are?”
She went on to call him a “little ba*****.”
Mr Miller told the court that the harassment had given him sleepless nights and left him crying at work.
He said: “I was always worrying. My wife would call me and would be crying her eyes out…I dread stepping out of the security of our gates.”
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He added: “All we want is to be left alone to get on with our lives.”
Mr Miller also told the court that Toulmin had broken her bail conditions 21 times.
He said: “We feel she would ignore any restraining order.”
Simon Hustler, mitigating for Alicia Toulmin, told the court that “there are always two sides to the story in a case like this.”
He explained that the Millers had moved in and had “fenced off unregistered land” which was not owned by anyone.
The court heard how Toulmin was taking civil action after her conservatory was left “fenced in” as a result.
He said: “Mrs Toulmin and her partner have been driven out of their own conservatory. Mrs Toulmin’s life is ruined.
“She has lost her employment and her good character. She has still got a civil battle to fight.”
Magistrates imposed a five-year restraining order, ordering Toulmin not to contact the Millers.
Toulmin was also slapped with a 12-month community order, with 20 rehabilitation days, and ordered to pay £895 in fines and costs.
Outside court, Mrs Miller said: “I have waited years for this case. I am relieved that she can’t come anywhere near us. I hope she gets the help she needs.”
