In Lincoln, a solicitor and her mother have been sentenced to over five years in prison for a campaign of harassment against their neighbours.
Linda Lu, aged 35, alongside her mother Susan Chen, aged 61, have been given custodial sentences after a jury found them guilty of severe stalking. Their actions included playing blaring music and sending baseless legal threats, contributing to a climate of fear for their neighbours.
Judge James House KC described their conduct as strategic and disturbingly effective in causing maximum distress to their victims, underscoring the severity and unusual nature of the crimes.
Over a protracted period, Lu and Chen ignored repeated warnings and interventions from the authorities, illustrating a clear intent to harass continuously.
Using her legal expertise, Ms Lu issued several vexatious legal letters, disregarding the potential professional repercussions or the well-being of their targets.
The judge praised the victims for their courage throughout the legal proceedings, acknowledging the emotional toll exacted by the pair’s behaviour.
PC Jordan Bathie-Drexler led the investigation, stating the case transcended typical neighbour disputes, involving continuous psychological torment over several months.
Even after being detained multiple times, previous attempts to rein in their behaviour through legal notices and police warnings failed.
PC Bathie-Drexler remarked on the brazen and relentless nature of the harassment, a standout case in his decade of service.
The court has enacted an indefinite restraining order against the duo, preventing contact with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officers involved in the case.
The situation in Bassingham has had a profound community impact, with legal professionals, like Lu, highlighting concerns over how such positions of power can be misused.
The conviction of Linda Lu and Susan Chen serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of using one’s professional standing to perpetuate abuse, leaving a community shaken.