THIS is the horrifying moment a thug attacks his neighbours armed with a knife and scaffolding police over a boundary fence row.
CCTV shows a drunken Shane Berry force his way into the house next door with weapons in hand at around 6pm on July 11.
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He viciously assaulted neighbour Mark Taylor in their Exminster home, as his terrified wife screamed in fear for their lives.
She could be heard shouting: “He’s got a knife, he’s got a knife.”
After Berry staggered out the front door, Mark could be heard on the phone desperately calling for “police and ambulance”.
Meanwhile Berry said to his mum as he marched over: “I’m going to kill those f***** two fat c****”.”
Upon his return, the thug said: “I just gave the t*** a few hits with the pole.”
The traumatised victim was rushed to hospital and required 14 stiches in his dead, while his hand needed 15.
Exeter Crown Court was told the neighbours had an ongoing feud before the horror unfolded.
Berry claimed his mother had been threatened, but Mark has since refuted the allegation.
He told DevonLive they hadn’t spoken to Berry for nearly two years after he acted aggressively towards his wife.
Mark argued tension built up across two years over a boundary dispute, and disagreements over lights, CCTV and a shed.
The homeowner claimed their row was sparked in 2023 after he pressed Berry on how he had been able to erect a garden shed without planning permission – when their own application had been denied.
Their feud was re-ignited when Berry tore up a fixed brace that supported their fencing.
Simmering tempers also rose when Berry complained about Mark’s CCTV system, which he claimed “lit everything up like a football stadium”.
The knife-wielding neighbour even took issue with odd-coloured cable ties used in Mark’s garden.
“Two of them were black and one was white and I was told it looked untidy,” said Mark.
He added: “It was lots of petty things that never should have got this far.”
The concerned neighbour claimed they had tried mediation, but this approach fell through.
They were forced to sign an anti-social behaviour agreement by Teign Housing after Berry threatened to harm Mark’s wife.
But after downing nine beers on July 11, Berry forced his way into their property and launched his attack.
Berry was hauled before a judge, who told him: “Looking at the injuries you’re fortunate not to be facing a sentence of life in prison because you intended to cause really serious bodily harm.”
Judge Stephen Climie sentenced the defendant to six years in prison for inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent.
Amanda Nicholls, Director of Customer and Communities at Teign Housing, said: “We take all reports of anti-social behaviour extremely seriously, and have a specialist team to manage cases intensively.
“In this case, we worked closely with the police and others to support what has been a complex situation. Our work saw a two-year community protection warning issued as an example of the robust actions we have taken to dissolve tensions.
“We welcome the court outcome and hope that it supports residents to enjoy their homes. We will continue to offer support to Mr and Mrs Taylor.”
How to resolve a neighbour dispute
According to Citizens Advice
Talk your neighbour
If you feel as though you can safely, you should approach your neighbour to discuss the problem first.
Take a note of the time and date you spoke to them, in case you need it for evidence later.
If you can’t speak to them face-to-face, you can write them a letter.
Tell them about the issue you would like to fix and how they can do their part.
Talk to your neighbour’s landlord
If your neighbour is a tenant, you can talk to their landlord. This could be the local council, a housing association or a private landlord.
Get support from a residents’ or tenants’ association
If there’s a residents’ or tenants’ association where you live, they might be able to offer additional support.
If more people complain, the dispute will be less personal, which may help your case.
Go though a mediation service
Mediators are independent and will listen to both sides to help you reach an agreement.
You might have to pay for mediation, but their is financial support available for those who are eligible.
Contact your local council
The local council can actually still help solve disputes between neighbours – even if the neighbours are not living in local council housing.
Contact a local councillor or MP
You can contact a local councillor or MP for help, you can find out who represents you through GOV.UK.
You can write them a letter outlining the issue, remember to keep a copy for yourself.
Contact the police
You can contact the police if a criminal offence is being committed – for example, if your neighbour is:
- being violent or harassing you
- making excessive noise – the police can visit the neighbour or issue fines to people who have failed to stop the noise after being asked to do so, or they can confiscate sound producing equipment
If you’re not sure whether what your neighbour is doing is a crime, contact your local council, phone 101, or contact your local police station for advice.
Consult a lawyer
You can send your neighbour a letter from a solicitor to show that you’re serious about your complaint.
A letter from a solicitor might help to explain the legal position in a dispute, for example if neighbours can’t agree about the position of a boundary.
Take legal action
Legal action should be a last resort after you’ve tried speaking to your neighbour and taking action through your local council.
Going to court might resolve the dispute but damage your relationship with your neighbours.
It’s also expensive unless you’re eligible for legal aid or are using the simple procedure
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