A Nottingham artist left an offensive sign for her neighbour which read: "You evil, old, sick, pathetic excuse for a human being!! Kill yourself", a court heard. The message was meant for Andrew Malcolm, who has a speech impairment following a stroke, and was taped to the back of disgruntled neighbour Lauren Paige's home.
The city's magistrates' court heard Paige claim, "I'm not the harasser", and "It was a cry for help to make him stop what he was doing". Mr Malcolm had contacted police about the disturbing sign which he could see from his back garden.
Penned on paper and stuck to a wall, he believed the message was directed at him. A police constable attended at 6.20pm on May 25 this year, at Mr Malcolm's address in Durnford Street, New Basford.
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The officer had met him previously and was aware of Mr Malcolm's difficulties communicating and structuring sentences The officer went through his property to the back garden, where Mr Malcolm pointed at the sign stuck on the wall of Paige's address.
The message was clearly visible from the garden of Paige's address, directly towards his garden and was stuck high on the wall, so it was not obscured by the fence, magistrates heard.
Paige, 47, of Durnford Street, confirmed she had posted the sign and its content. She said it was intended to send a message to Mr Malcolm so he would "stop his behaviour".
Representing herself, she said she had refused to accept a conditional caution, and went on to make derogatory claims about her neighbour. After citing a series of issues she has had, the magistrates were told police had not taken action regarding a counter-complaint. The magistrates have no powers taking forward any complaint.
Meanwhile, Mr Malcolm did not provide a statement to the court as it was considered to be inappropriate even with an intermediary. Paige admitted displaying any writing or a sign which was threatening or abusive within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.
Paige, who pleaded guilty on Thursday (September 29), is a self-employed artist. She was distressed as she spoke in court.
As well as a 12-month conditional discharge, she is now required to pay a victim surcharge of £22 and costs of £85.
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