PENSIONER ATTACKED NEIGHBOR WITH ANT KILLER OVER PARKING

A parking dispute between neighbours escalated severely on October 13, 2025, when a 75-year-old pensioner, Sally Beaney, sprayed ant-killer into her neighbour Matthew Perry's eyes. Mr. Perry, who is terminally ill with late-stage cancer, sustained chemical burns and a mild corneal injury from the attack. The incident occurred in Southampton, Hampshire, stemming from ongoing disagreements about parking arrangements on their shared driveway.

Beaney's actions were described in court as stemming from an "obsession to control" and a tendency to "revel in making other people's lives very difficult." Mr. Perry recounted the profound impact of the harassment, stating it had stolen "precious" years and contributed to his declining health and a "catastrophic terminal cancer diagnosis." He also noted that the prolonged stress had rendered their home unsellable.

Appearing at Southampton Crown Court, Beaney admitted to causing actual bodily harm. She was sentenced to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years, along with 100 hours of unpaid community work. An indefinite restraining order was also issued to ensure Mr. Perry and his family's safety, prohibiting Beaney from contacting them or filming them.