“Only gays in the village” abusers found guilty
A mother and daughter are awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of harassing their gay neighbours.
Karen Reeves, 44, and Christie Myles, 22, had both denied using homophobic and offensive abuse towards Michael Harris and Shires Crichton of Marley Lane, in Kingston, near Canterbury.
The couple have been dubbed by locals as, ‘The only gays in the village’, a reference to a sketch in BBC comedy show Little Britain.
The torrent of abuse started after the couple, who had been together for 15 years, bought a £350,000 home on land that belonged to Reeves’ mother.
Reeves and Myles, would go there nearly every day to tend their horses Monaco and Dior. They both live in the nearby coastal resort of Whitstable,
The couple were subjected to a tirade of verbal abuse from both the mother and daughter.
On one occasion Reeves drove a car towards Mr Shires, 36, in an aggressive manner that made him fear for his life.
According to the Daily Mail, magistrates’ chairman Robert Scrase told the women:
“Michael and Shires moved into the property to enjoy the idyllic country lifestyle.
“It is clear to us that their quality of life and hopes for the future have deteriorated.”
The verdict was warmly welcomed by the locals who said that the whole village suffered as a result of the women’s behaviour.
Reeves and Myles have been ordered to stay away from the village until they are both sentenced.
While Mrs Reeves is expected to receive a custodial sentence it is believed that her daughter is likely to receive community service.
