Couple fined £80 for painting their side of a fence

Aldershot - When a couple in Aldershot decided to paint their fence they had no idea it would result in a fine. They were shocked when police officers turned up at their door telling them they would be charged if they refused to pay the fine.

Kay Balsdon and her partner Chris Bates decided to paint their side of a fence after noticing that it was dry and beginning to warp. They decided to paint it forest green to match the rest of the fencing around their garden. “We were very careful and used a brush rather than a sprayer, but a little bit had got through the fence,” Balsdon, 47, told The Telegraph. “The woman next door got very upset and started banging on the door and creating a scene. “She called the police who said they were going to issue a fine, and warned us that if we didn't pay we would end up going to court and end up paying a lot of money. So we just paid.” She said that she thought it was a prank when the police first turned up at her door. The neighbour had claimed that the paint had ruined the finish on her side of the six-foot fence, which was painted a different colour. Bates, 29, said that he was amazed there had been so much fuss over the paint. He said he was speechless at first, but after it sunk in he felt angry. Hampshire Police decided to refund the fine. A spokesman for the police told The Telegraph: “The officers gave this a lot of consideration and decided that this was the best way to deal with it. However, we have now reviewed the case and the fine will be rescinded and refunded.”