This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-51574756

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Louise Lotz: Debby Foxwell guilty of neighbour murder Louise Lotz: Debby Foxwell guilty of neighbour murder
(32 minutes later)
A woman who bludgeoned her neighbour to death with a garden spade has been found guilty of murder.A woman who bludgeoned her neighbour to death with a garden spade has been found guilty of murder.
Debby Foxwell had a "visceral hatred" for Louise Lotz - a "hoarder" she blamed for her inability to sell her home, St Albans Crown Court heard.Debby Foxwell had a "visceral hatred" for Louise Lotz - a "hoarder" she blamed for her inability to sell her home, St Albans Crown Court heard.
She killed her after an argument in what prosecutors called a "sustained, brutal and merciless attack".She killed her after an argument in what prosecutors called a "sustained, brutal and merciless attack".
Foxwell, of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, will be sentenced on 20 March.Foxwell, of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, will be sentenced on 20 March.
The 41-year-old had denied murder throughout her trial but had admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility.The 41-year-old had denied murder throughout her trial but had admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility.
'It's over, I've done it''It's over, I've done it'
The jury heard there had been problems between the two women, who lived next door to each other in Fordwich Road, for at least six years.The jury heard there had been problems between the two women, who lived next door to each other in Fordwich Road, for at least six years.
They were told that after a row in the back garden on 24 August, the defendant grabbed the victim's phone, picked up a spade and forced her way into Ms Lotz's home and smashed her belongings. Prosecutor Alan Blake said: "Initially relations were cordial, but they swiftly deteriorated. As so often in neighbours' dispute, it began over petty matters: boundaries, bins, and borders."
He added: "[Ms Lotz] was something of an untidy hoarder. The rear garden was overgrown and unloved. The interior was cluttered."
Jurors heard that after a row in the back garden on 24 August, the defendant grabbed the victim's phone, picked up a spade and forced her way into Ms Lotz's home and smashed her belongings.
The 64-year-old former councillor, who had been on the phone to police at the time, ran to another house, shouting "help me, help me", but was attacked by Foxwell who hit her four or five times with the side of the spade.The 64-year-old former councillor, who had been on the phone to police at the time, ran to another house, shouting "help me, help me", but was attacked by Foxwell who hit her four or five times with the side of the spade.
Returning home, Foxwell told her partner: "It's over. I have done it," the court heard previously.Returning home, Foxwell told her partner: "It's over. I have done it," the court heard previously.
Prosecutor Alan Blake said: "It was a sustained, brutal and merciless attack." Mr Blake said: "It was a sustained, brutal and merciless attack."
The court heard that Foxwell sent a WhatsApp message to a police officer on the night of the murder which read: "When will it stop? When I have smashed her head in - that's when."The court heard that Foxwell sent a WhatsApp message to a police officer on the night of the murder which read: "When will it stop? When I have smashed her head in - that's when."
Mr Blake said the defendant's "visceral hatred of Louise Lotz intensified" over time. She had previously been prosecuted for assault and criminal damage against Ms Lotz.Mr Blake said the defendant's "visceral hatred of Louise Lotz intensified" over time. She had previously been prosecuted for assault and criminal damage against Ms Lotz.
On 23 July last year, Community Protection Warning Notices were issued to both women, banning them from harassing, trespassing or taking photographs of each other.On 23 July last year, Community Protection Warning Notices were issued to both women, banning them from harassing, trespassing or taking photographs of each other.
Ms Lotz suffered a fractured skull and died from a "severe traumatic head injury".Ms Lotz suffered a fractured skull and died from a "severe traumatic head injury".