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A 75-year-old woman has appeared in court, charged with poisoning her neighbour with ant killer amid a row over their shared driveway.
Sally Beaney, of Southampton, Hants, is accused of “maliciously” poisoning the man as part of a campaign to target him.
She is also accused of harassing the man by repeatedly parking her car to block access to his home.
The court heard that she allegedly placed plant pots, wooden structures, and other obstacles across their shared driveway to block access.
Beaney, of Southampton, Hants, allegedly placed signs on the obstacles accusing the man of intimidating delivery drivers.
She appeared at Southampton Magistrates’ Court for the first time on Tuesday, charged with maliciously using ant killer to poison a man on 13 October 2025 “with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy”.
Sally Beaney appeared at Southampton Magistrates Court for the first time on Tuesday (Simon Czapp/Solent News)
She is also charged with harassment without violence of the same man between 6 August and 11 November 2025.
Beaney is accused of displaying signs on or near the obstacles across their shared driveway, accusing the man of trespassing and wrongdoing, abusing, threatening, or intimidating delivery drivers and other service providers attending his address.
The court heard she was accused of making an obscene gesture towards the man and his family, including a child, while they were walking together.
Beaney, who appeared in the court wearing a black coat, spoke only to confirm her name.
No plea has been made at this stage, as the poisoning charge can only be dealt with at a crown court.
Speaking to Beaney, District Judge Anthony Callaway said: “This matter has to go to the Crown Court. I think you were so informed before this was called on.
“I am going to grant you unconditional bail to the Crown Court as I have indicated.”
He gave Beaney unconditional bail to appear at Southampton Crown Court in May.