A Suffolk woman has been sentenced after admitting to attacking her neighbour in an incident that followed years of tension between residents.
Bridget Howard, who lives at Orchard Lands in Burstall, appeared before Suffolk Magistrates’ Court on 6 January where she received her punishment for the assault on Zoe Sharman.
The court heard that Howard had pleaded guilty to the offence, which took place in July last year.
The case stems from a protracted dispute between Howard and multiple neighbours in the area, with tensions first emerging in 2019.
The friction between neighbours began when Howard’s husband, Kevin, cut back a hedge in the locality six years ago.
Matters came to a head on 25 July 2025 when Howard placed a notice on her driveway asking people to refrain from leaving dog excrement there.
The row made its way to Suffolk Magistrates Court
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Upon returning to her property later that day, she discovered the sign had been taken down.
Howard then encountered Ms Sharman nearby, and a verbal confrontation ensued between the two women.
The argument escalated when Ms Sharman retreated into her own home and shut the door behind her, only for Howard to pursue her inside the property.
According to Ms Sharman’s account, Howard grabbed her mobile phone from her hand after she indicated she would contact police. Ms Sharman responded by slapping Howard across the face.
The victim told the court that Howard then struck her repeatedly, landing “countless” punches to her head, chin and upper body. One blow knocked Ms Sharman to the ground.
Ms Sharman stated that the assault only ceased when she picked up a metal baseball bat and warned Howard she would use it against her.
Howard has disputed throwing punches but acknowledged entering the property and that a “fracas” occurred between herself and the complainant.
The magistrates imposed a restraining order preventing Howard from making any contact with Ms Sharman for a period of twelve months.
Howard was ordered to pay a fine of £120 along with £250 in compensation to her victim.
Additionally, she was placed on a community order running until January 2027, which includes a requirement to undergo mental health treatment.
The order also stipulates that Howard must complete up to 14 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement sessions as part of her sentence.