London homeowner fined £10,000 for removing neighbours' entrance on moving-in day

A London homeowner was found to have destroyed a neighbour’s roller shutter as new owners moved in. The dispute concerned access rights and gates between two homes in Disbrowe Road.The defendant, Adrian Robert Udal, removed the barrier on 25 August 2023 and later installed metal gates.

According to a judgment by the Mayor’s and City of London Court, the removal was wrongful destruction and interfered with the neighbours’ property rights. Judge HHJ Parfitt found the owners had rights to use the passageway on foot and by vehicle, and to install gates where reasonably required.

Udal was ordered to pay the couple £10,000 in total compensation, including £2,500 for the removed structure and £7,500 in general damages.Neighbour removes couple's entrance on their first day in new homeNicholas George Kenly Partick-Hiley and Lise Marie Partick-Hiley completed the purchase of 1.5 Disbrowe Road on 25 August 2023. When they arrived to take possession, they found Udal and another person removing the roller shutter and door that separated their property from the street.