'Fantasy to say neighbour ate Koi '

Claims that a woman fried and ate her neighbours' koi carp during a campaign of harassment were described today as "simply fantasy".

Michael Joy, defending 75-year-old Ellen Jones, said: "There's simply no evidence that any person who has been in court, and particularly Ms Jones, is in any way connected with this.

"We have heard quite a bit about the koi carp but it is simply fantasy that Ms Jones had anything to do with it."

Mark and Jane Fowler, who live in a £450,000 farmhouse next to Ms Jones's cottage in Newchapel, Surrey, are suing her for £75,000, alleging harassment. They say she is a "neighbour from hell". Ms Jones denies the claim. Mr Joy said Mrs Fowler was in fact guilty of harassment herself. He told Lewes County Court that Mrs Fowler is not the "retiring wallflower" she claims to be but is really confrontational.

Referring to allegations of verbal abuse by Ms Jones and people living on her land, Mr Joy said: "It has never been put to Ms Jones that she swore or used any language in any way that can amount to abuse. I say it is simply not made out in the evidence so cannot amount to harassment." Mr and Mrs Fowler have alleged that Ms Jones made her dogs bark as part of her campaign of harassment. But Mr Joy said: "What would be harassment would be to cause the dogs to bark. No one has ever seen Ms Jones deliberately antagonising her dogs to bark."

Farm labourer Charlie Rashbrook, who lives in a caravan on land belonging to Ms Jones, also denies harassing the couple. The Fowlers claim that video footage shows Mr Rashbrook making obscene comments about the Fowlers' two daughters.

The case continues.