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Derbyshire council places Lego blocks after legal win
Derbyshire council dumps Lego blocks outside elderly woman's home after legal victory over garden gate access dispute.
In brief
Derbyshire council dumps Lego blocks outside elderly woman's home after legal victory over garden gate access dispute. Derbyshire County Council placed 54 Lego-style concrete blocks outside Helene Ball's home after winning a legal battle over garden gate access, while also monitoring her son's research efforts…
Legal dispute over garden gate access
Helene Ball won a three-year legal fight with Derbyshire County Council after it set a fence in concrete in front of her garden gate in 2023.
Council places Lego blocks
Derbyshire County Council dumped 54 huge Lego-style concrete blocks outside Helene Ball's home after winning the legal battle.
Son under surveillance
Council officer Allen Shepherd instructed staff to block David Ball's access to records and track his visits to the council office.
Legal victory
A judge ruled in Helene Ball's favor, adding her access rights to the land deed and ordering the council to pay £50,000 in costs.
Council's response
Council claimed they were following standard procedures to record all visitors to the record office for security reasons.
Son's reaction
David Ball felt physically sick after learning his mother's information was being tracked and shared with council staff.
Council's internal conflict
Council officer Allen Shepherd was criticized by the judge for being 'surprisingly combative' with unsubstantiated claims.
Legal dispute background
Helene Ball had used the garden gate route for nearly 60 years before the council installed a concrete fence in 2023.
Council's surveillance tactics
Staff were instructed to document when David Ball visited, what he asked for, and how much information he received.
Legal dispute resolution
The council was ordered to pay £50,000 in costs and ensure Helene Ball's access was not impeded again.
Son's legal efforts
David Ball was researching the case to try and get his mother's access reinstated after the council blocked the gate.
Council's internal email
Council officer Allen Shepherd told staff to stop providing David Ball with information as it could undermine the council's legal case.
Legal dispute timeline
The dispute began in 2023 when the council installed a concrete fence over the garden gate, leading to a three-year legal battle.
Council's justification
The council claimed the Lego blocks were meant to reinstate access but only served to distress Helene Ball further.
Son's legal strategy
David Ball was trying to find out about signage at the car park that might be important to their claim for prescriptive access.
Council's response to legal victory
The council dumped 54 Lego-style concrete blocks outside Helene Ball's home weeks after the legal victory.
The key point
Derbyshire County Council placed 54 Lego-style concrete blocks outside Helene Ball's home after winning a legal battle over garden gate access, while also monitoring her son's research efforts.
