Giant haystacks has neighbours wrestling over Thornham view

A man who lives in Thornham has said he is prepared to go to court over a dispute with a neighbour blocking a view with hay bales.

John Turner, of Shepherd's Pightle, told the Lynn News that neighbour Stephen Bett, the former Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), has placed hay bales that obscure a view that his mother, aged 79 enjoys.

Mr Turner said: "My mother has macular degeneration, so is unable to drive. She can see, but only just and she stays in every day and try’s to enjoy what little of the view she can now see.

"She has a wonderful view over parkland, that was until our local farmer Stephen Bett decided the row of houses overlooking the park should not have a view four years ago and planted leylandii.

"Last week someone came along and cut them down in the middle of the night.

"As I’m the fittest the finger seems to be pointing at me, which I can assure you it wasn’t.

"Now he has placed hay bales two-high, making them 11ft tall.

"My mother was so upset that I lost my temper, a red mist came up and I went over and pushed them (the hay bales) over.

"The police were called and I was asked to calm down.

"The police have said that it’s not a crime. Mother is so upset and I’m at my wits end, as I’ve just had a nervous breakdown and still being cared for by a wellbeing group.

"I’m prepared to go to court for this, my only concern is mother will need support. I am a wreck and haven't slept.

"I don't want to go to prison but don't want her to suffer."

Mr Bett, who was elected as and Independent in the first Norfolk PCC election in November 2012 and served until the next election in May 2016, has been contacted by the Lynn News for comment but has not replied as yet.