A LANDOWNER who was hauled before a court for using razor wire and chains to stop walkers using a public footpath near her home has been slapped with a criminal behaviour order.

Frances Payne, 56, became embroiled in the bizarre row with ramblers who she accused of straying onto her land near a beauty spot in Evesham, Worcs.

A court heard she blocked the path with barbed wire, chains and "keep out" notices and even hurled a branch at two women who tried to get through the gate.

Payne said the furore broke out after she was abused near her own home by walkers who "lacked common sense" and "knowledge of the countryside code".

But she was slapped with community protection notices ordering her not to block off the footpath before she was later charged with a string of offences.

Magistrates found her guilty of displaying a sign with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress and failing to comply with a community protection notice.

She was also convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after failing to help a cat being killed by her dog.

Payne was slapped with a five year CBO at Kidderminster Magistrates Court.

She was also ordered to pay vets bills of £3,800 to cat owner Pauline Clarke, £100 each to two victims, prosecution costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £22.

Sentencing, District Judge Ian Strongman said: "On June 20, two members of public found difficult to gain access.

"You put up barriers and were aggressive towards them - you threw a branch at them.

"They found a locked gate and you watched as they struggled to get over it, making them feel uncomfortable.

"The other offence was when your dog attacked a cat. Your dog inflicted grave injuries on the cat and it was crying in pain. It was fatally injured by your dog.

"When you left the scene, you left the cat in pain and did nothing to help.

"As a consequence, Mrs Clark found her cat dying in the street and spent £3,800 in vets' bills. It later died.

Worcester News:

"I am going to put you under a Criminal Behaviour Order for five years, so you don't interfere with the public footpath.

"This means that you should not be abusive or behaving in an aggressive manner towards any member of the public making use of the footpath within the area of Hampton, Evesham.

"Also, that you must not place any obstructions, such as wire, on any public footpath, or block off any exit and entrance points."

Payne had said she put up the fencing last April after what she described “constant” problems such as people taking drugs, assaults, thefts and vandalism.

She also said her livestock were being deliberately released, claiming she had seen a man lurking around the estate with bolt cutters.

Her allegations against also included littering, people riding motorbikes and bicycles, climbing on fences and fishermen turning up without licences.

Magistrates found her guilty of the three offences on December 14 last year.