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Couple’s war on their neighbours

26/ 3/2008

A COUPLE involved in a long-running spat with their neighbours have been convicted of harrassment.

Jonathan and Karen Hardwick were "jealous" of Jenene Flynn and partner James Saunders, a court heard.

Miss Flynn was insulted in the street and elbowed in the back by Mrs Hardwick, 38.

The families live next to each other in Annable Road, Droylsden. Tameside magistrates were told the Hardwicks had waged a campaign of harrassment on the couple over the past seven years.

Miss Flynn told the court: "I think it stemmed from jealousy. They used to copy us all the time. If we had an extension so did they, if we had spotlights so did they.

"It has affected our day-to-day lives for seven years."

A similar case was thrown out on the day of the trial in 2006. Following that Miss Flynn decided to log incidents in a diary.

In one incident, as she put her children in the car, Jonathan Hardwick, 39, stood in his front room window with a bottle of wine and swore at her, the court heard

Over the next two months the Hardwicks made a number of threats to kill and told the victims they were "messing with the wrong people".

CCTV film taken from Miss Flynn’s home was played in court. It showed Jonathan Hardwick reversing from his drive and laughing menacingly as he drove past their home.

Other footage captured the Hardwicks yelling "Two to us!", believed to be a reference to the court case which had been dismissed.

Jonathan Hardwick was charged with causing harrassment after confronting Miss Flynn on Marina Road in October, 2006. He warned her not to ‘get on the wrong side of him’ before ruffling her three-year-old daughter’s hair, the court was told.

Karen Hardwick was charged with harrassment between September and November 2006 for "continually shouting abuse and threats" at Miss Flynn.

After finding them guilty, magistrates handed the Hardwicks an 18-month conditional discharge with £250 costs.