74-year-old woman fined for vandalizing neighbor's planter

A 74-year-old dog groomer has received a court order to pay over £1,000 for vandalizing her neighbor's wooden planter. Jean Smith was found guilty of repeatedly damaging the planter belonging to Darren Collins over 18 months. The case was heard at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court in Hampshire. Smith allegedly sprayed the planter with bright green paint and was accused of running over it with her car, which she claimed was an accident. Collins, who moved in next door six years ago, had placed planters on his lawn to prevent Smith's customers from driving on his grass. In court, Collins shared his distress about Smith's actions, stating that it made him anxious to live next to her. The conflict escalated when he confronted her about the vandalism, leading to heated exchanges between them. Prosecutor Ryan Seneviratne described Smith as a "nuisance neighbor" and highlighted the ten different occasions when she vandalized the planter. Although Smith claimed the planter was difficult to see, the court upheld that she had acted deliberately in damaging Collins' property. Judge Stephen Apted found her guilty of eight counts of criminal damage, while clearing her of three other charges due to insufficient evidence of intent. Smith was fined £400, ordered to pay £160 in victim surcharges, £620 in costs, and £150 in compensation to Collins.