A FARMER who was the victim of her fraudster neighbour amid a bitter planning dispute says the traumatic ordeal has affected her health.

Janet Sewell, of Windmill, near Toft Hill, County Durham, says she was harassed by Alison Parker, who forged letters in a bid to overturn planning permission for barn buildings at her Mill House Farm in 2010

Her 49-year-old neighbour was found guilty of two counts of intent to commit fraud at a recent trial and was given a suspended sentence and ordered to pay £3,000 court costs.

At her sentencing on Friday (November 27), Teesside Crown Court heard how she sent letters purporting to be from the local parish council to the former Teesdale District Council objecting to planning permission being granted.

These were referred to the Local Government Ombudsman who - taking note of the fake letters - ruled Mrs Sewell’s three cowsheds should never have been granted approval as part of a report into possible maladministration.

The court also heard how the former fire brigade worker threw suspicion on others by persisting the documents were real, resulting in planning officers being investigated and suspicion falling on members of the parish council.

Mrs Sewell, 48, said the stress caused by the continued ordeal meant she must now take medication and undergo counselling.

“I think whilst the whole experience has had a devastating traumatic impact on Mill House Farm in the form of emotional and financial terms it must be stated that no guilt or remorse has been shown for her [Parker’s] actions," she said.

She has complained to the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) and Durham County Council, which took over planning powers after Teesdale District Council was abolished.

She also criticised the police for the time taken to investigate the claims and has written to her MP, Helen Goodman to raise the issue.

“In order for justice to be seen to have been done Durham County Council need to be held accountable for their professional short comings," she said.

Colette Longbottom, the council’s head of legal and democratic services, said: “At the time the ombudsman issued her report, we accepted its recommendations and took the appropriate action.

“At this time we were not aware that letters that the ombudsman found had been sent by a parish council to the former Teesdale District Council, objecting to planning permission, were not genuine.

"We requested the police investigate these letters given their importance in this complex case and we will now consider the implications of the court outcome in dealing with issues in the village and the ombudsman's report.”

A spokesman for the Local Government Ombudsman said investigations are done privately but was aware of the court case and hoped a resolution could be found.

A Durham Constabulary spokeswoman said the force would welcome feedback.

Due to illness, Mrs Goodman was unable to comment.