Nightmare neighbour who strung barbed wire across her path to stop walkers charged with assault

A NIGHTMARE neighbour who strung barbed wire across her path to stop walkers has been charged with assault.

Frances Payne, 56, was slapped with a criminal behaviour order after a row broke out when she accused walkers of straying onto her land.

She blocked the path with razor wire, chains and "keep out" notices and even hurled a branch at two women who tried to get through the gate in Evesham, Worcs.

Now Payne will be hauled before a court again after being charged with a string of offences - including three counts of assault by beating.

Payne - who appeared on Channel 5's The Nightmare Neighbour Next Door - is also accused of breaching her criminal behaviour order.

The CBO saw her banned from being abusive or aggressive to any member of the public using the footpath near her property Hampton Mill.

Payne was also charged with using abusive, insulting words and behaviour likely to cause harassment alarm or distress.

She was set to appear at Worcester Magistrates Court yesterday but the case was rescheduled for November 7.

Details of the incidents that lead to the charges are not known.

Last April, Payne blocked her path barbed wire, chains, and "keep out" notices - and even hurled a branch at two women who tried to get through the gate.

During her battle with walkers, Payne's dog attacked a cat and left it dying in the street. 

Payne said the furore broke out after she was abused near her own home by walkers who "lacked common sense" and "knowledge of the countryside code".

She was slapped with community protection notices ordering her not to block off the footpath before she was later charged with a string of offences.

Wayne was found guilty of displaying a sign with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress and failing to comply with a community protection notice.

She was also convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after failing to help a cat being killed by her dog.

Payne was handed a five year CBO at Kidderminster Magistrates Court.

She was also ordered to pay vets bills of £3,800 to cat owner Pauline Clarke, £100 each to two victims, prosecution costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £22.