Neighbour-from-hell who chopped down next door’s memorial trees is banned from his village

A neighbor from hell who cut down the memorial trees next door with a chainsaw in a longstanding boundary dispute has been banned from his village for 15 years.

Adrian Paul Stairs, 59, must not enter Blisworth until the year 2037 or risk being sent to prison after making the lives of his next-door neighbors a misery for years on end.

Last year he used a chainsaw to cut down several mature shrubs and trees planted by loved ones of residents who have passed away.

He also threatened his neighbors with a brick.

A magistrates court heard that in early 2021, Northamptonshire Police began receiving reports of anti-social behavior from the occupants of a house in Blisworth in regards to their neighbour, Stairs.

A spokesman for the force said it became apparent that the bad behavior had been going on for some time and that others within the community had also been affected.

“During his behavioral campaign, Stairs used a chainsaw to cut down several mature shrubs in his neighbor’s garden that had been planted near the disputed border line,” they said.

‘Some of these shrubs had been established for over 20 years and had been given as gifts by relatives who have since passed away. As such, strong sentimental value was lost.

Stairs also assaulted his neighbors by threatening them with a brick during a dispute in the yard, causing the victims to fear imminent harm. Fortunately, he didn’t actually throw it away.

The local Neighborhood Watch Team launched an investigation with the support of Anti-Social Behavior Sergeant Wyn Hughes.

The team collected enough evidence to charge Stairs with criminal mischief and assault.

They discovered that he had terrorized his neighbors and other residents in the Northamptonshire village of Blisworth for an extended period.

Stairs has been banned from the village for 15 years, which means he’ll be 74 the next time he’s allowed to go there.

In their victim impact statements, the residents said they had suffered anxiety, fear and despair due to Stairs’ persistent anti-social behavior.

They revealed that Stairs had also been targeted by other villagers, including 80-year-old retirees.

Stairs, who has since moved to Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, received a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He also received a restraining order that prevents him from entering Blisworth for 15 years and contacting the victims in any way.

Stairs absconded from court before the sentencing hearing and was arrested and appeared in court again on December 2.

He was given an additional two-week prison sentence, which was suspended, along with a 60-day rehabilitation order for absconding from court.

Sergeant Wyn Hughes said: “When the victims in this case were informed of the outcome and the restraining order, it was like a weight lifted from their shoulders.

“This is something they have struggled with for so long and therefore I am very happy for them.

“However, there are no real winners in these types of cases as the impact on the victims has been significant and prolonged.

“I hope this case shows our ability to use criminal and antisocial behavior laws in positive ways to protect our residents and keep our communities safer.”

Earlier this year, a man who claimed pruning his 32-foot trees would kill them was ordered to cut them down after losing a battle with his neighbors.

Terry Saville had been involved in a war of words with Neil and May Kidd over the trees between their properties in Kirriemuir, Angus.

The frustrated couple had petitioned the Angus City Council to cut down the conifers under the tall hedge legislation amid complaints about the loss of light in their home.

They were disappointed when the council issued an order that the trees, which stretch 82 feet long, be cut down to 12 feet tall.

The Kidds appealed the ruling to the Scottish government, arguing that the trees should be pruned more.

Saville also went to the government, insisting that cutting the trees down to 12 feet would kill them.

He also said that the council had breached a ‘tree conservation order (TPO)’ in place on the property and that the trees provided a backdrop for a new development.

The government upheld the council’s ruling but issued a slight variation on the trees affected.

Saville had until September of this year to carry out the work.

In Somerset, a woman has given up seeing the spectacular view from her home, after being locked in a 20-year battle with her neighbor over a 50ft leylandii hedge.

Val Horton’s Bathampton bungalow used to overlook Solsbury Hill. But she conceded her defeat as the council said she can’t order her neighbor to cut them down because they don’t block enough sunlight.

Leylandii trees planted in 2001 by her neighbor Valerie Vivian have now blocked the ‘wonderful’ view from Mrs Horton’s dining room, as they continue to grow skyward.

Ms. Horton, a retired civil servant, has fought to get the trees cut down for 20 years, and hoped they would be cut down under the High Hedges part of the Anti-Social Behavior Act.

But because his house still gets enough light and trees don’t block access to his property, Bath and North East Somerset Council can’t order the hedge to be cut.

Speaking in August, Ms Horton said the problem with her failing eyesight had “exhausted” her.