Nigel and Sheila Jacklin, from East Sussex, were issued with a 'community protection warning' after they complained about their neighbours
A COUPLE face prosecution if they look at their neighbour’s house after falling out over building work.
Nigel and Sheila Jacklin were issued with a “community protection warning” after police were called when they were accused of harassing their neighbours.
The couple, from Norman’s Bay, East Sussex, have now been warned by officers they face prosecution if they are "perceived by any person to be looking into any neighbour's property".
They have also been banned from walking directly to the beach past their neighbour's home because it now forms part of an “exclusion zone” imposed on them.
The Jacklins have lived in their £600,000 five-bedroom home for 26 years and it is just yards from the beach in the hamlet near Bexhill-on-Sea.
But five years ago clinical psychologist Dr Stephane Duckett and partner Norinne Betjemann bought a 120-year-old, disused glass glazing workshop opposite their house.
The couple, from London, then set about converting it into a £400,000 weekend holiday home.
Mr and Mrs Jacklin made a series of complaints about their new neighbours to the authorities, including allegations about noisy builders, verbal abuse and light pollution.
However the Jacklins were then "investigated" by the Rother District Council and given a “community protection warning letter”.
Dad-of-two Nigel has branded the punitive action "ridiculous" and says they will fight the decision all the way.
Mr Jacklin, 55, said: "The police treated us like criminals even though we had reported problems with Dr Duckett and Ms Betjemann for five years.
"We live by the beach because we like to go to the sea; this action prevents us from enjoying the beautiful location we live in."
He added: "The notice is preventing us from doing something that we've done for 26 years and caused no harm.
"If we walk through the village we have to keep our heads hung low. We can't walk to and from the beach or through the village without fear of being prosecuted."
A Rother District Council spokesman said: "Community Protection Notices (CPNs) are aimed at preventing unreasonable behaviour that is having a negative impact on residents' quality of life.
"Before a notice can be issued a warning letter is sent to the individual in question advising them that their unreasonable behaviour must cease otherwise a CPN will be issued.
"In this case, Sussex Police issued a warning letter on behalf of the council in an attempt to resolve a long-standing neighbourhood dispute.
"A CPN would only be served if there was further evidence of anti-social behaviour."
Mr Duckett and Ms Betjemann declined to comment. Sussex Police also said they were unable to comment on the case.
