Woman with 'spy camera' given court order after bitter five-year feud with neighbour over shared driveway

The 65 year-old of The Green, Steeple Morden, Royston, used a camera disguised as a necklace and by hiding in bushes.

Ms Sharkey would also verbally abuse the neighbour, reports CambridgeshireLive.

Cambridge Magistrates’ Court heard how Ms Sharkey shared a driveway with the victim and had previously had a good relationship with him.

However, the relationship deteriorated in 2021, and in September 2023 when she erected a six-foot-high fence.

The court heard how the victim could no longer access his house by car.

He also found it difficult to receive food and medication deliveries.

In his victim personal statement read to the court he said: "I feel like I have been cut off from the world. This has been going on for nearly five years.

"In that time, I have lost my wife, my mobility has been reduced and naturally I have become less able due to my age.

"This is not a time in my life that I want to spend in a state of stress or worry.

"I want this time to be peaceful for me and my family."

Ms Sharkey was found guilty of harassment at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on September 9.

She was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work, 15 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and handed a five-year restraining order.

The restraining order specifies she cannot contact her neighbour.

Ms Sharkey was also told she can no longer block the driveway.

DC Charmaine Wood said: “This was a sustained period of harassment from Sharkey.

"What started out as a neighbour dispute quickly escalated and resulted in a vulnerable man feeling scared to leave his house.

"Her mobile phone showed she had 76 photos and videos of him simply trying to live his life, including footage from hidden cameras.

"I hope this sentence will make her realise these actions are not acceptable, and we will continue to support anyone who is a victim of abuse."