Chinese Mother-Daughter Duo Jailed for Tormenting Neighbours in Bassingham UK

[Social Media]

 

In a clear case of shocking harassment, a former Chinese intelligence officer and her solicitor daughter were sentenced to five-and-a-half years each for orchestrating a campaign of terror against their neighbours in the tranquil village of Bassingham, near Lincoln. Susan Chen, 61, and Linda Lu, 35, subjected James and Lynn Smith, both teachers with two young children, to months of abuse that began over a seemingly minor dispute about a hedge.  

 

The ordeal started in July 2023, when Mr. Smith attempted to trim a hedge separating their property from Chen’s rental home. Having moved into the neighborhood just three months prior, Chen and Lu reacted vehemently to the action, with Chen confronting Mr. Smith almost immediately. What followed, as described by Judge James House KC at Lincoln Crown Court, was a "persistent, calculated, and appalling" pattern of harassment that spiraled out of control.  

 

Using binoculars, the mother and daughter spied on the Smith family and directed torches at their home for hours. They banged paint cans, played loud music, including the "Laughing Policeman" song on a loop, and hurled derogatory insults such as "retards." Videos recorded by Mr. Smith and presented in court captured these acts, demonstrating the extent of their behavior. On one occasion, the pair even used a mobile phone linked to a camera to monitor the family's movements, intensifying the Smiths' distress.  

 

The harassment lasted over two months, during which Chen and Lu ignored community protection notices issued by the authorities. Judge House remarked, “In short, the defendants terrorised the Smith family.” He noted that Mr. Smith was compelled to submit around 200 audio and video recordings as evidence, underscoring the relentless nature of the abuse.  

 

Both women chose to represent themselves during the trial and alleged they were the true victims, claiming they were being "stalked and harassed." However, the jury took just two hours to convict them of stalking between July 15 and September 29, 2023.  

 

Chen and Lu declined psychiatric assessments before sentencing. While Lu had no prior convictions, jurors learned that Chen had a history of violent behavior. In 2020, she was convicted of assaulting an elderly couple in Balderton, Nottinghamshire, spitting on them and attacking them with a walking pole during an exercise outing.  

 

Chen, who served in the Chinese army for 14 years, reaching the rank of major before transitioning to a lucrative corporate career, told the court she moved to the UK seeking new challenges. Her daughter Lu, a former London-based solicitor, expressed concerns about the impact the conviction would have on her future career prospects.  

 

In addition to their prison sentences, the court issued restraining orders barring Chen and Lu from entering Bassingham or contacting the Smith family and others involved in the case. PC Jordan Bathie-Drexler, the lead investigator, issued a statement after the trial, emphasizing the severity of the harassment. “Nobody should fear sitting in their own garden, walking their children to school, or worry about barrages of abuse on a regular basis, simply because their neighbours have developed an unhealthy obsession with them.”  

 

What began as a minor disagreement escalated into a chilling campaign of intimidation, leaving the Smith family shaken but ultimately victorious in their fight for justice.

 

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-12-09

 

 

 

[CanadaSam]

Wow, the judge must have been having a bad day, over 5 years in jail for harrassment!

 

Probably first time conviction?

 

A year would have taught them properly never to think about doing it again!

[degrub]

Well, the mother had prior conviction for assault. I guess she thought she was still a major in the red army. These two certainly were not pansies “harassing “ the neighbors. More like psycho warfare.

[Chomper Higgot]

‘Former’ Chinese intelligence officer.

 

 

Let her serve her time then deport her straight from prison.

[Scott Tracy]

Where was the landlord in all this? What visas were these people on? Is this an example of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer? 

You're not in China now, Toto....

[mokwit]

Seems to have been an issue with assimilating our values. If you want to behave like you are in China go back there.

[klauskunkel]

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

Her daughter Lu, a former London-based solicitor, expressed concerns about the impact the conviction would have on her future career prospects.  

Oh look, forward thinking after the fact,... makes you look even more stupid.

[MalcolmB]

I wouldn’t mind being locked up with the daughter.

[KannikaP]

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

In addition to their prison sentences, the court issued restraining orders barring Chen and Lu from entering Bassingham or contacting the Smith family and others involved in the case

Is this AFTER the 5 year prison sentence, of which they will only probably serve half of it.

[KannikaP]

 How can this be classed as 'creepy'. I loved it when Uncle Mac used to play it.

 

[Callmeishmael]

8 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

I wouldn’t mind being locked up with the daughter.

I was thinking the same, but remember "no matter how good looking and sexy a woman may be, somewhere a man is absolutely sick of all her s)*)(*!"  😁

[mokwit]

10 minutes ago, Callmeishmael said:

I was thinking the same, but remember "no matter how good looking and sexy a woman may be, somewhere a man is absolutely sick of all her s)*)(*!"  😁

She's Chinese, you would be hen pecked and nagged to death.

[jcmj]

I hope that they have to spend most of that sentence behind bars. Of course they could save money and just send them back to China where they will feel right at home. 

[john donson]

I think I would have paid them a little visit like many keyboard warriors here

[TimBKK]

Some people are just so f****** pathetic.

[Patong2021]

23 hours ago, CanadaSam said:

Wow, the judge must have been having a bad day, over 5 years in jail for harrassment!

Probably first time conviction?

A year would have taught them properly never to think about doing it again!

 

Did you not read the case? Aside from the  harassment, they defied legal orders to cease and desist.

[Patong2021]

22 hours ago, KannikaP said:

 How can this be classed as 'creepy'. I loved it when Uncle Mac used to play it.

 

 

Great zeus, in June 1922, Penrose made the first recording of this song, which was released on Regal Records.  You must be rather ancient.

[KannikaP]

33 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

Great zeus, in June 1922, Penrose made the first recording of this song, which was released on Regal Records.  You must be rather ancient.

If you think 77 is ancient then so be it. Was played by Uncle Mac on Children's Favourites on the BBC Light Program when I was child. Together with Three Billy Goats Gruff, The King's New Clothes and so many more. Great memories. I played them for my sons when they were babies over 30 years ago, and they now play to their children.

[quake]

On 12/9/2024 at 1:13 PM, Scott Tracy said:

Where was the landlord in all this? What visas were these people on? Is this an example of keeping your friends close and your enemies closer? 

You're not in China now, Toto....

 

Guess you have never been a landlord in the uk. 

[Scott Tracy]

22 hours ago, quake said:

 

Guess you have never been a landlord in the uk. 

What does that mean? 

[quake]

41 minutes ago, Scott Tracy said:

What does that mean? 

 

Ok, I was right. your not a landlord in the uk and never have been.

it was you who, mentioned the landlord.

As a landlord, in the uk,  if the tenant pays the rent and looks after the property

There's not much you can do. about anything.

What rules of the tenancy have they broken in your view ?

And what should a landlord about it, in your view. ?

 

This was you below.

Quote

Where was the landlord in all this?

 

 

 

 

 

[Scott Tracy]

21 hours ago, quake said:

 

Ok, I was right. your not a landlord in the uk and never have been.

it was you who, mentioned the landlord.

As a landlord, in the uk,  if the tenant pays the rent and looks after the property

There's not much you can do. about anything.

What rules of the tenancy have they broken in your view ?

And what should a landlord about it, in your view. ?

 

This was you below.

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, we won't get into spelling and grammar and the abuse of the English language at this point.

 

You make an assumption about whether or not I'm a landlord. Perhaps I am, perhaps I'm a tenant or house owner. I consider the question as valid. 

 

Checking the renting checklist: Be considerate to the neighbours. Antisocial behaviour may be a reason for your landlord to evict you. 

 

Does that not make the question valid?

 

[quake]

9 minutes ago, Scott Tracy said:

Ok, we won't get into spelling and grammar and the abuse of the English language at this point.

 

You make an assumption about whether or not I'm a landlord. Perhaps I am, perhaps I'm a tenant or house owner. I consider the question as valid. 

 

Checking the renting checklist: Be considerate to the neighbours. Antisocial behaviour may be a reason for your landlord to evict you. 

 

Does that not make the question valid?

 

 

You understand nothing of what a landlord can and can not do in the uk.

So no,  not a valid question. just a stupid assumption by you.

Come on then, what can a landlord do in this situation , given the length of the tenancy and time frame of the 

incident.

Come on,  lets hear it.

As for spelling and grammar.  up yours.

 

[0ffshore360]

On 12/9/2024 at 1:26 PM, KannikaP said:

 How can this be classed as 'creepy'. I loved it when Uncle Mac used to play it.

 

I can understand how the laughing part played relentlessly could get on the nerves quite quickly !

[Nick Carter icp]

On 12/9/2024 at 1:13 PM, Scott Tracy said:

Where was the landlord in all this?

 

   Probably in Thailand .

Not his problem .

[quake]

Just now, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Probably in Thailand .

Not his problem .

 

Ok, busted. 

[Scott Tracy]

On 12/12/2024 at 6:35 AM, quake said:

 

You understand nothing of what a landlord can and can not do in the uk.

So no,  not a valid question. just a stupid assumption by you.

Come on then, what can a landlord do in this situation , given the length of the tenancy and time frame of the 

incident.

Come on,  lets hear it.

As for spelling and grammar.  up yours.

 

I know exactly what a landlord can and cannot do in the UK.

 

As for your final comment, I need say nothing.

[quake]

7 hours ago, Scott Tracy said:

I know exactly what a landlord can and cannot do in the UK.

 

As for your final comment, I need say nothing.

 

Thought so.