WHAT'S YOUR ANGLE
Shocking moment man uses ANGLE GRINDER to cut down fence in bitter neighbour dispute
Neighbours argued Kevin Grogan had 'land grabbed' and was 'spying' on them
THIS is the shocking moment a man uses an ANGLE GRINDER to cut down a fence in a bitter neighbour dispute.
The row on an estate in Rochdale, Greater Manchester started four years ago when homeowner Kevin Grogan, 68, decided he wanted to install a gate in a public alleyway.
6
6
6
6
Claiming the land was his, Grogan erected the metal gate and even put up "highly-intrusive" CCTV cameras in the entry.
The former builder turned "neighbour from hell" started receiving complaints from nearby residents immediately.
They argued Grogan had actually "land grabbed" from the alley running behind their homes and was "spying" on them.
Mohammed Alam and his wife Anju even called the cops at one point over fears Grogan's cameras overlooked their garden.
read more on uk news
Officers ordered Grogan to reposition the cameras, which had night vision and audio recording, and re-open the alley - but he ignored the warning.
And at Manchester Magistrates' Court last month, Grogan was found guilty on two accounts of failing to comply with the community protection notice (CPN).
Despite the conviction, the alleyway remained closed - leaving neighbour Mr Alam at his wits end.
Just last week, he decided to take matters into his own hands and go at the gate with the power tool.
Most read in The Sun
Dad-of-three Mr Alam, who claims Grogan’s cameras are still looking over his property, said: “The trouble started as soon as we moved in and has been going on for more than four years.
“Mr Grogan made a land-grab when he closed off the alleyway and filled it with rubbish.
“And his cameras give my family no privacy - they are like Big Brother on steroids.
“It feels like we are living under occupation.”
Video footage captures the moment police were called to the scene as Grogan stands and watches Mr Alam hack at his handy work.
Grogan can be heard arguing with cops during the chaotic moments.
Mr Alam, who claims to have suffered years of bullying, harassment and threats from Grogan, now hopes to “get on with his life”.
But fears Grogan will refuse to back down.
Police have been called by Grogan dozens of times but many of his complaints had “not stood up to scrutiny”, it’s claimed.
He was previously convicted in October 2021 for using a trailer to block access to the alleyway and given a six-month conditional discharge.
During his trial, Grogan argued that he had installed the cameras in response to threats and violence from Mr Alam.
Therefore, he claimed, he had a “reasonable excuse” for not complying with the CPN.
And he denied keeping the gate to the alleyway locked, even though he’d installed a padlock and chain.
Giving evidence police sergeant Richard Garland, who visited Grogan’s home, described the CCTV cameras as “highly-intrusive” and he later seized them before new ones were erected.
He also told the court he was unable to gain access to the alleyway due to the gate being locked.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
District judge Tom Mitchell fined Grogan £1380.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were contacted for comment.
6
6
Topics