Neighbour feuds can get pretty damn nasty, as demonstrated by a recent case that ended up in court over a parking space row.
The disagreement had already been going on for months, but it reached new heights when a couple had sex on a bollard as part of an alleged protest.
You see, Lee Craig McConnell had been parking both his car and his campervan in Blandford Forum, Dorset, where he lives.
But this proved to be an issue, as he was taking up two spots in a relatively small cul-de-sac of 10 houses where neighbours often have difficulty holding onto their respective parking spaces.
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Weymouth Magistrates’ Court heard how McConnell left his campervan in a neighbour's space, which 'led to some tension and arguments'.
Prosecutor Richard Withey said the 28-year-old's actions led the neighbour to put up a bollard in place to prevent him from taking her spot.
Unfortunately it didn't have the desired effect, as the woman's bollard was pushed over and interfered with.
Withey said she was pushed to install CCTV from her bedroom to overlook the area, before moving the camera to an outside wall.
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Despite putting up warning signs of the surveillance camera, she caught McConnell pushing the bollard over on two occasions.
Her concerns turned to disgust when, at around 11pm on 26 October, 2022, McConnel masturbated in front of his home in view of the CCTV.
He then gestured for his wife to come over before they proceeded to have sex.
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Describing the incident, Withey said: “What did happen on October 26, but it was not known until the day after, is she (the neighbour) had seen him masturbate outside the front of his house and had sexual intercourse with his wife over the bollard."
Referring to the CCTV footage, he continued: "It clearly shows the defendant facing the camera and masturbating.
"He appears to be talking and she (McConnel’s wife) is wearing some sort of gown, who then walks towards the bollard, goes over the bollard and engages in that (sexual) act. He finishes and walks into the house."
The neighbour said she was left 'completely disgusted' by the footage, which she believes was meant to 'intimidate' her.
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On the same evening of the sexual act, her husband had been taken to hospital.
Although McConnell initially answered 'no comment' during his police interview, he pleaded guilty to indecent exposure at the court hearing yesterday (3 March).
Defending, Simon Lacey, said the 28-year-old had been left 'embarrassed' by his actions and has even placed their home for sale in a bid to draw a line under the incident.
Lacey said: "He had no idea cameras were there. It wasn't deliberate and not to humiliate the neighbour. It was clearly inappropriate for something that happened.
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"He has come and pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity."
As for the community fallout, the lawyer explained: "The whole thing is a disaster. All the neighbours are turned against him and his wife and they are moving away.
"All they are doing is removing themselves from a very difficult situation. It is sad and this is a man who is trying to bring up a family and work.
"He is highly embarrassed about what happened. It is a very hard lesson to learn."
The case has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report and McConnell will appear again at the same court on April 27.
He was released on bail but ordered not to contact his neighbour.
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