Pensioner tells of terror after being attacked in dispute over fence

A pensioner who was violently attacked when a row with neighbours over a fence turned ugly has as we speak advised of her ordeal.

Brian Saunders left Wendy Douglas with a fractured eye socket, damaged collar bone and damaged ribs throughout an incident at her residence.

Jurors at Newcastle Crown Court heard how Wendy lived subsequent door to Saunders’ mother and father on Newcastle’s Kingston Park property when the neighbours obtained embroiled in a dispute over a fence and an ivy bush.

Events got here to a head on June 12, 2021, when Wendy began trimming a bush she claims was in her backyard. She advised the courtroom her neighbour got here out and started shouting at her earlier than going again to his property, he then returned and demanded the cuttings from the plant.

Wendy, who was 68 on the time of the incident, advised the courtroom Saunders later arrived at his mother and father’ home and after a dialog about about placing up a brand new fence he assaulted her.

Pensioner Wendy Douglas, of Ascot Park in Newcastle, was left with a number of accidents after being attacked by Brian Saunders 

Brian Saunders, attacked Wendy Douglas, after a dialog about about placing up a brand new fence outdoors her residence

Saunders has now been jailed for 3 years and 9 months after a jury discovered him responsible of inflicting grievous bodily hurt  

Saunders, 52, of Melness Road, Hazlerigg, has now been jailed for 3 years and 9 months after a jury discovered him responsible of inflicting grievous bodily hurt with intent. And as we speak after seeing her attacker sentenced, Wendy has advised of her shock at being assaulted on her personal property.

The 70-year-old stated: ‘It was horrendous. I used to be frightened. But all of it occurred so quick. It was over in seconds, however it it did not appear to be that. You must be secure in your house.’

Wendy, who labored as a store assistant in Fenwicks earlier than she retired and now volunteers on the Freeman Hospital, stated there had been a disagreement between herself and her neighbours after a bush from their backyard started rising over her fence. But she stated she by no means imagined the row would flip violent.

‘It was simply an Ivy hedge that was rising on our wooden fence,’ she stated. ‘It simply began with a well mannered dialog. I simply began asking. I did not count on something to come back of that. It was only a little bit of a disagreement. Then we simply stopped talking as a result of it was getting nowhere.

‘It was completely out of the blue. I’ve by no means spoken to him earlier than. I assumed it will be a little bit of verbal. I’d by no means have imagined it will flip to violence. I’m nonetheless buddies with the neighbours from the primary home I’ve ever lived in from the 70s. I’ve by no means had unhealthy neighbours earlier than.’

Robin Patton, prosecuting, advised the courtroom throughout sentencing that Saunders subjected the sufferer to a ‘vicious and sustained assault’ after which ‘walked off, leaving her badly injured and lined in blood’.

Mr Douglas stated that she had by no means spoken to Mr Saunders earlier than, and had not anticipated the violence with which he attacked her

Mr Saunders is to be prevented from visiting Ms Douglas’ tackle for 10 years, though he’s allowed to go to his mother or father’s tackle subsequent door 

Ms Douglas, who lives within the residence on the appropriate, stated that she was relieved to lastly see Mr Saunders jailed 

In addition to the jail sentence Judge Sarah Mallett imposed a restraining order that prohibits Saunders from speaking with Wendy straight or not directly for 10 years. He can also be prevented from attending the sufferer’s tackle for 10 years, though he’s allowed to go to his mother or father’s tackle subsequent door when he’s launched from jail.

Judge Mallett stated: ‘You are 52 years of age and haven’t any related offending historical past. You are to be sentenced for the extraordinarily critical offence of grievous bodily hurt with intent to trigger grievous bodily hurt.

‘At about 12.30pm on June 12, 2021, following a dispute between your father and Wendy Douglas about crops rising on the border between the 2 gardens, you approached Wendy Douglas to debate the matter. She didn’t need to interact in any dialogue with you – and also you noticed pink.

‘You ran at her and knocked her out of her chair with a punch. You knelt on her chest and, with each arms round her neck, you pinned her there after which punched her to the face once more.

‘She stated, ‘I’ve obtained you now,’ and then you definitely continued to punch her after which shouted, ‘I’m sick of this,’ and advised her to, ‘Get it sorted.’

‘There had been neighbours who heard screaming.’

Judge Mallet continued: ‘[Wendy Douglas] stated on the time she thought she was going to die from strangulation. She was a 68-year-old feminine on her personal at residence and was seated [at the time.]’

Wendy confronted an extended wait to see her attacker sentenced. But she was relieved to lastly see Saunders jailed.

‘It’s ridiculous, however thank god it is throughout now,’ she stated, ‘It’s been an extended look ahead to my day in courtroom. I’m simply happy it is throughout now. I at all times wished my day in courtroom.