An Angus woman who was assaulted by her neighbour with a paint roller has told how she now lives every day in fear of a repeat attack.
Joan Boyle, 59, claimed Ian Spence, 79, has made her life hell ever since she put up a £500 garden fence to stop him entering her property in Monikie.
She claimed she won’t go out on her own for fear she will be attacked again and has also been given medication from her GP to calm her nerves.
Spence was fined £190 at Forfar Sheriff Court this week after admitting repeatedly hitting her with the roller last September.
The bust-up happened when Joan painted her side of the fence and some brown paint trickled down on to Spence’s side. He decided to go out and paint over it and an argument broke out.
Spence grabbed the roller and began to hit Joan with it. She put up her arms to try to defend herself from the blows and police were called after other residents, including Spence’s wife, heard the commotion.
Joan said: “He looked like he wanted to kill me there was evil in his eyes.
“The fence was just a catalyst. He just totally lost it. If the roller had been heavier I’m convinced I would have been dead.”
Joan had paint in her hair and on her arms and when officers returned to interview her they saw bruising on her cheek, forearms and head.
“I live alone and I’m terrified,” she added.
“I can’t go out in the back garden without asking a neighbour to come with me. I’m scared it will happen again.”
The former paralegal said the pair have lived side by side in Granary Terrace for eight years.
Joan said: “I suffered a brain haemorrhage and moved to Monikie to be closer to my sister.
“At first Ian and his wife were pleasant. One day I was woken up by him digging up my garden I thanked him for his efforts but said I didn’t need his help.
“I put the fence up and he lost that control. That’s when things turned ugly. There were several incidents which I previously reported to the police.
“It was always his word against mine which is why I installed CCTV. I don’t think he would have ended up in court if it wasn’t for the CCTV which captured the assault.”
An interim interdict has now been granted against Spence.
In court, Spence’s lawyer said the accused had chosen not to contest the interdict matter because of the legal costs involved.
Joan said: “I think the £190 fine was just awful I couldn’t believe it was so low.”
Spence declined an opportunity to respond to his neighbour’s claims.