“Neighbour dispute” in Chesterfield escalated into homophobic insults, court hears

Cheryl Lomas, 39, shouted abuse at long-suffering fellow householders on Newbold’s Occupation Road and threatened to stab one of them “through the heart”.

Prosecutor Callum Morris told Chesterfield Magistrates Court on one occasion Lomas accused them of abusing children and called them “dirty”.

One of her victims said in a personal victim statement she had installed CCTV because of Lomas’ “behaviour”.

She described being “anxious and depressed”, adding: “Her (Lomas’) constant shouting is tiring and I want to be left alone.”

However Lomas’ solicitor Steve Brint said the incidents in April were the result of a “neighbour dispute” and a “falling out”.

Mr Brint said his client had moved to the street two years ago – but problems between the neighbours began to emerge about 12 months ago.

The solicitor said Lomas had also made “numerous complaints” about her neighbours’s antisocial behaviour - including threats towards her family.

The “ongoing difficulties” had resulted in Lomas having a Police Community Support Officer assigned and police installing CCTV at her home to monitor the problems.

Telling how Lomas’ mental health had “deteriorated” to the point of being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Mr Brint said: “In April Miss Lomas was at the end of her tether.

“She accepts certain comments were made - it’s a toxic relationship.”

Lomas, of Occupation Road, admitted harassment without violence and two counts of using threatening behaviour.

Her case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

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