Boundary Hedge

[sandmaster]

Since 1979 I have maintained the boundary fence at the end of my garden. The occupants of the other house were grateful as the hedge shaded their garden and they were unable to cut it themselves. A new owner moved in last year. Just before she moved in I cut the hedge back 2 - 3 feet as usual. Earlier this year she asked me if I would objectto her removing the hedge. She has not done so and as usual I cut it again last week (it is deciduous but grows 2 - 3 feet every year). On Saturday the police called to say I have committed a criminal offence. Having checked my deeds I see that the boundary goes through the middle of the hedge. I have written to her a nice letter saying I suggest we meet to discuss the matter but I expect her to rebuff this. Will the police proceed? Is it best to accept a caution or go to court and voice my case? In any event I will not cut the hedge again, but nor will I allow her to!!

[themas]

I'm speechless! (well, almost). If this went to Court and I was a magistrate I would chuck it out on the basis that a prosecution was totally disproportionate to the offence (if any) and so a complete waste of public money.

In the days when there was some commonsense in this country this sort of thing just wouldn't happen. At most, the police would have a quiet word and say don't do it again (always assuming what you have done actually is an offence, and I'm having trouble understanding that it is).

I hope the police are not stupid enough to proceed, but if they do you will presumably have to waste money asking a solicitor for advice.

[sandmaster]

Thanks themas - just before the police called I was reading an article about the police failing to respond to calls from people following a stolen horse trailer. There does seem to be a lack of common sense these days. i suppose my case will be one easy tick for their targets.

[themas]

I think you've got it in one! And of course, who set all these damn fool targets?

I know of a case where a serious fraud was committed against a vulnerable old person which could have resulted in him losing his home. When his sons asked the police to investigate they got no help at all. They had to go away & do their own investigation & go back to the police when they had identified the culprits!

But of course if the sort of thing that happened to you is queried you get the parroted "explanation" that they have to investigate all the complaints they receive. There seems to be no understanding that there are ways of investigating something and the heavy handed approach far too often displayed does nothing but put peoples' backs up.

Still, it could have been worse - they might have arrested you & kept you in a cell overnight!