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Irate pensioner accuses neighbours of invading his privacy with back garden trampoline

Derrick Croucher says his neighbours are invading his privacy (SWNS)
Derrick Croucher says his neighbours are invading his privacy (SWNS)

A pensioner is at loggerheads with his neighbours after they placed their children’s trampoline too close to his garden fence.

Derrick Croucher, 71, says his privacy has been invaded, as the kids can see clearly into his home and garden while bouncing on the toy.

The father-of-five is now locked in a war or words with the family who have refused to move the trampoline away from his fence.

Mr Croucher has lived at the property for 36 years and says “we are too old to move out and why should we?” (SWNS)
Mr Croucher has lived at the property for 36 years and says “we are too old to move out and why should we?” (SWNS)

Mr Croucher, who lives in Droitwich, Worcestershire, said: “I asked for their consideration on my privacy as it is upsetting and affecting our lives.

“It means we cannot go in the garden without being watched – it invades our privacy.

“I want the kids to play, but my argument is why has the trampoline got to be so close to my fence where it could cause damage? It is my fence, I want to make sure it doesn’t break.

“It also gives them an opportunity to see over into my garden and look through my windows into my house.

“Every time I look out my window, I can see their trampoline. Whenever the children go on the trampoline they can see into my house.”

Mr Croucher said that when the trampoline is in use “we cannot go in the garden without being watched”. (SWNS)
Mr Croucher said that when the trampoline is in use “we cannot go in the garden without being watched”. (SWNS)

Mr Croucher said that when his neighbours first bought the trampoline last year they had placed it in the middle of their garden. However, on Sunday they moved it closer to the fence.

He added: “When I approached them about it they told me ‘it’s our garden and we can do what we like’.”

Mr Croucher said he also had a memorial in his garden dedicated to his sister, which is placed by the fence near the trampoline.

He said. “If I have to attend that, I feel uncomfortable.”

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Mr Croucher, along with his ex-partner, live in the four-bedroom property which is managed by Fortis Living.

He added: “We have lived here for 36 years and have brought up our five children in this house. We are too old to move out and why should we when we have been here all these years?”

Mr Croucher’s neighbours refused to comment.