Former Intelligence Officer Jailed for Neighbor Harassment

Susan Chen, a self-declared former Chinese intelligence officer, and her daughter Linda Lu, have been sentenced to five and a half years in jail for harassing their neighbors, James and Lynn Smith, in Bassingham, Lincolnshire. The conflict began over a dispute about a hedge in July 2023, leading to a two-month campaign of intimidation including playing the 'Laughing Policeman' song on repeat, banging paint tins, and shouting abuse. Both Chen and Lu reportedly ignored community protection notices and were found guilty of causing serious alarm or distress. Their actions resulted in significant psychological impacts on the Smith family, including insomnia and anxiety, as noted in their victim impact statements. Judge James House KC condemned the behavior as 'persistent, calculated and appalling,' emphasizing the terror inflicted on the Smith family. The Smiths' quality of life was severely disrupted, affecting both their personal safety and daily routines.