Former Chinese Intelligence Officer and Daughter Sentenced to Prison for Stalking Neighbors

A former Chinese intelligence officer and her daughter, a solicitor, have each received a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence for “terrorising” their neighbors through an almost daily stalking campaign. Susan Chen, 61, and Linda Lu, 35, were found guilty of causing severe alarm and distress to their neighbors, James and Lynn Smith, who reside in Bassingham, a village located near Lincoln. According to proceedings at Lincoln Crown Court, the couple, parents of two children, became increasingly targeted by their new neighbors after a dispute concerning a hedge arose in July 2023. These actions persisted for over two months after the initial disagreement, reportedly involving “periods of loud metallic banging” and the continuous playing of music. Chen informed the jurors that she had served in the Chinese army for 14 years, achieving the rank of major. Steve Taylor, the prosecuting barrister, stated that a dispute began on July 18, when Mr. Smith was trimming a front hedge outside his residence. Chen then emerged and informed Mr. Smith that he “couldn’t trim” the hedge, asserting it was her property. The court was informed of subsequent incidents, such as “a racket” emanating from Lu and Chen’s home on August 19, and “loud banging” on August 23. The Smiths departed in late August, seeking “to try and get some respite.” Nevertheless, upon their return, banging from the adjacent property began “within 15 minutes,” the court heard. Videos recorded by Mr. Smith and presented in court depicted Chen and Lu “shouting derogatory abuse,” which included epithets like “retards.” In a victim impact statement, Mr. Smith detailed how his family’s 13-year residency “in a village they loved” was destroyed by the presence of Chen and Lou. Mrs. Smith stated that her life had undergone significant changes as a result of the harassment campaign by Chen and Lu. She reported suffering from insomnia and receiving diagnoses of mild depression and anxiety. During the sentencing, Judge James House KC remarked that the family had endured a “persistent, calculated and appalling pattern of behaviour.” “The verbal abuse was vile,” Judge House commented. He further stated, “In short, the defendants terrorised the Smith family.” The court was informed that Chen and Lu had been held in custody for approximately six months throughout the criminal proceedings. During their five-week trial, where they represented themselves, they claimed to have been the victims of stalking and harassment. Nevertheless, a jury deliberated for only two hours before convicting the two women of stalking the Smiths between July 15 and September 29, 2023. Additionally, both defendants received a restraining order, which prohibits them from entering Bassingham, contacting the Smith family, or engaging with several other individuals connected to the case. The court learned that Lu had no prior convictions, but Chen had been previously convicted of assaulting an elderly couple in 2020 while residing in Balderton, a village near Newark, Nottinghamshire. This incident involved Chen spitting and “setting about” the elderly couple with her walking pole after encountering them during her daily exercise. Upon the case’s conclusion, PC Jordan Bathie-Drexler of Lincolnshire Police stated: “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.” For highlights from Lincolnshire, listeners can access BBC Sounds, viewers can watch the latest episode of Look North, or individuals can submit stories for coverage here. This content is Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding the BBC’s approach to external linking is available.