Torrent of abuse forced family out

LEAVING court: Nicola George (left) who harassed her neighbours and caused criminal damage to their car, and her daughter Natalie (right), who was cleared of harassment

A FAMILY of four fled their Alt home of 14 years to escape the torment of harrassment and criminal damage by a neighbour

Alan Christopher (52), Lisa Johnston (39) and their two young sons moved from the home in Lawn Closes after an incident involving drunken neighbour Nicola George (42) escalated into a barrage of harassment.

The trouble began when Mr Christopher and Ms Johnston were woken by a loud bang in the early hours last September, Oldham Magistrates heard.

Ms Johnston saw a group of women around the family’s car, with George crawling across the roof down the windscreen and on to the bonnet, making three large dents in the process.

The group shouted abuse when Ms Johnston confronted them from her window, then walked away.

They returned minutes later, as Ms Johnston was examining the damaged car.

“I told Nicola she stank of alcohol and asked why she had done that to the car. She started shouting and threatened to batter me.

“I didn’t want my boys disturbed so told her to go home, but she was still shouting. She just wanted trouble.”

Disabled Mr Christopher had witnessed the incident from the bedroom window. In the days that followed the pair stayed with friends to avoid further trouble, returning to collect clothes a few days later.

Another neighbour, Joanne Knowles - who had been present during the previous incident approached the family as they left the house, and tried to block their exit. One of their sons got out of the car to shout at the woman before the family escaped, never to return to the house.

The couple told the court the incidents left them terrified of staying in their own home.

George was found guilty of harassment without violence and of causing criminal damage to the car, but was cleared of a charge of common assault. She received a two-year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £650 in compensation and costs.

George’s daughter Natalie (20), also of Lawn Closes, was acquitted of a harrasssment charge.

Last year Natalie was one of three finalists in the Best New Volunteer category of the national Vinspired awards for her work as a youth volunteer.