Sally Beaney, 75, has admitted to assaulting her neighbor, Matthew Perry, who is suffering from late-stage cancer. The incident occurred on October 13 last year and resulted in Mr. Perry sustaining swelling to his eye and a mild corneal injury.
Beaney, of Southampton, appeared at Southampton Crown Court and pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm. The court heard that the assault was captured on camera. Previously, Beaney had been accused of maliciously poisoning Mr. Perry with ant killer. However, she denied that charge at a hearing in May, with her defense stating it was an act of self-defense or an accident. The accusation of using ant killer with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy will now lie on file, and a charge of harassment has been dropped.
Prosecutor Gaylene Coles informed the court that Mr. Perry is still alive despite his late-stage cancer. Annabel Hazlitt, defending Beaney, described the eye injury as relatively mild, with some swelling and a mild corneal injury.
Beaney has no previous convictions. As part of her sentencing, she will be assessed for a mental health treatment requirement. Judge Nigel Peters KC characterized the case as a neighbor dispute that escalated significantly. Beaney remains on unconditional bail, and sentencing is scheduled for September 18.