Pensioner sprayed ant-killer into terminally ill neighbour’s eyes in row over parking

A pensioner has avoided jail after spraying ant- killer into her terminally ill neighbour's eyes in a row over parking.

Sally Beaney robbed her neighbour, Matthew Perry, of “precious” years, a court heard.

The 75-year-old “revelled in making other people’s lives very difficult” and had an “obsession to control”.

Mr Perry, who has late-stage cancer, suffered swelling on his eye from chemical burns and a “mild” corneal injury, the court heard.

Beaney admitted causing assault occasioning actual bodily harm to Mr Perry, with whom she shares a driveway in Southampton , Hants, on 13 October 2025.

She appeared at Southampton Crown Court where she was handed a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years, and was ordered to work unpaid for 100 hours.

Mr Perry moved into the Southampton address 15 years ago with his wife Lucy and their two children.

Prosecuting, Gaylene Coles said that Mr Perry believed that he could park by the property for the entire time that he lived in the house.

"In June 2025 there was an issue between [the neighbours] with a lawnmower. After that notices began to appear about parking in the wrong place.

“She began to block his parking and would leave objects out to block his parking.

Beaney would also film the family from her home and would shout at them as they came and went, the court heard.

Then, on 13 October 2025, she sprayed ant-killer into Mr Perry's eyes as he left his home.

That was the only exit from his property and the attack came seemingly from nowhere, the court heard.

Mr Perry was rushed to hospital, where he was told he had minor chemical burns to his eyes and needed to take antibiotics and pain killers.