Norwich neighbour dispute sees woman threatened with jail

Anne Medler, 47, screamed and broke down in tears in the dock after being told her actions were so serious that she was being given a prison sentence. 

But magistrates then told her they had decided to suspend a 12 week sentence for 18 months warning her it was her final chance.

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Norwich Magistrates Court heard she had ignored a restraining order on two occasions by continuing to harass neighbours on Springbank in the Lakenham area of the city.

Medler admitted breaching a restraining order twice during harrassment of neighbours (Image: Newsquest)

She admitted verbally abusing a man and a woman on June 14 this year in breach of the restraining order not to contact them that had been imposed in July 2022.

She had also previously pleaded guilty to shouting and banging on the door of a woman on July 12, the court was told. 

Medler, whose sentencing was interrupted by a fire alarm in the court, also admitted assaulting police when she was arrested and damaging police property.

Natasha Baker, mitigating, said: “She should not have been shouting at them even if it was her neighbours who came to her address.

“She accepts she was in breach of the restraining order in doing so and regrets it.

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The restraining order were the result of a long-running neighbour dispute at Springbank in Lakenham (Image: Google)

“She was very upset and emotional when police arrived. She also shouted at the officers and as a result she spat at them accidentally. 

“There was no deliberate intention to spit at them.”

Magistrates said the restraining order breaches were “very serious matters” and that “it appears that sentences are almost being ignored”. 

They added: "If it’s the case, as you alleged, that you are being provoked, it is very important you walk away and ignore it because otherwise you could very well serve that jail sentence.”