A neighbour from hell "terrorised" a couple with "petrol bombs driving them to the brink of suicide" in Wales.
Richard Burton and Amanda Hutton moved from Surrey to Pembrokeshire in 2018 seeking a peaceful rural life, enjoying renovating their property and rewilding the land.
In 2019, the couple's peaceful lives were disrupted when Cassie and Francis Collins bought 36 acres of land next door.
"They took us out for a meal and they were very friendly," Burton told the Daily Mail.
They moved from Surrey to Pembrokeshire in 2018 (stock pic)
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Shortly after, the couple purchased five acres from the Collins for £25,000 - which the neighbours took but allegedly refused to give them access to the land.
A lawsuit to force completion unleashed the ex-paratrooper's campaign of terror.
They claim that the abuse that followed was relentless, with Collins sending over 50 malicious emails threatening violence.
On one occasion, he threw a petrol bomb into their home in March 2020 - a crime for which he was later jailed.
"He would walk around with crossbows, he'd wear balaclavas, he'd stand at the fence just staring at Amanda," Burton claimed, as he explained how the harassment became a daily ordeal for the couple.
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The psychological impact was devastating, driving Hutton to attempt to commit suicide twice.
In one email, Collins wrote: "You will lose everything you love and I will make you watch." Another threatened: "You're about to have the worst week of your life, lol, I'm so excited."
He even threatened to set Hutton on fire and encouraged her to kill her partner, causing her to "live in fear everyday", Burton said.
Police provided the couple with window locks, door stoppers and constant policing including helicopter patrols while Collins would make formal complaints against specific officers to prevent them protecting the couple.
"We contemplated leaving but he made our property worthless, it was a warzone. We were trapped," Burton said.
The couple eventually took a £9,000 emergency loan and a £220,000 mortgage to buy the neighbour's land for their safety.
The couple eventually took a £9,000 emergency loan and a £220,000 mortgage to buy the neighbour's land for their safety (Stock)
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Collins had been diagnosed with ADHD and suffered from severe psychotic depression with daily suicidal thoughts.
He had previously attempted to take his own life and was awaiting mental health assessment, while his wife endured chronic pain that often left her bedbound.
On September 11, 2021, the couple were found dead in their home after carrying out a suicide pact after creating a joint will and having two of their dogs put to sleep.
Collins was discovered in bed cuddling three of their deceased dogs, while Collins was found in the hallway.
"There was disbelief. I had to phone back to check it wasn't a hoax," Burton said, explaining that the police had informed him of the deaths that day.
"I felt relief and sadness - we both hit the floor crying," he said.
