A 350-euro fence with a neighbor costs an elderly British woman her house: I am forced to sell it to pay the court

A 79-year-old widow from Pontyclun, South Wales, UK, says she has been forced to sell her home after a bitter legal dispute with her neighbour over a fence for just £300 (around €350).

Muriel Middle had lived peacefully in her home for more than 20 years, but everything changed when businessman Alexander Miles removed part of the dividing fence to gain access to a water pipe that was originally located on Mrs. Middle's side, reports the Telegraph.

She reinstalled the fence, but the move led to threats of lawsuits from the neighbor, who claimed she had blocked his access and weakened the structure.

After they failed to resolve the conflict between them, the case ended up in court.

Ms. Middle and her daughter could not afford a lawyer, while their neighbors had full legal representation.

The court recognised Mr Miles as the owner of the fence and ordered Ms Middle to pay around £15,000 (around 17,500 euros) in his legal costs.

The amount has now reached around £20,000 (around €23,500) due to interest and additional costs.

Unable to get a new loan due to her age, Ms. Middle is selling her house to her daughter to raise the necessary funds.

"This conflict has devastated us emotionally," her daughter said. "My mother has worked her whole life, and now she is being forced to leave her home because of a small piece of fence. This should never have happened." /Telegraph/