Neighbour jailed for 40 months over 'hellish' harassment campaign

Drina Gray, 52, has been jailed for three years and four months after a prolonged campaign of harassment against her neighbours in Wandsworth. The court heard over 18 months, Gray subjected Ben Stanley and Emma Williams to 140 separate incidents, including death threats and constant noise. A judge stated Gray made her neighbours' lives 'hell' during sentencing in June 2025.

The harassment campaign began shortly after Gray moved into the flat below Mr Stanley in April 2023. Incidents included vacuuming and playing loud music at night, stealing parcels, and making threats via a Ring doorbell camera. Mr Stanley recorded the majority of the 140 incidents, which escalated after he reported Gray to the RSPCA for kicking her dog. This action, he stated, led to a significant increase in the severity and frequency of the abuse.

Escalating Threats and Fear

Threats made by Gray included suggestions of violence such as sending someone with a gun or burning down the couple's flat. Mr Stanley told The Standard that Gray also threatened to have his legs broken and that she had 'a hit put out' on him. The constant fear led Mr Stanley to keep a baseball bat by his front door for defence. Ms Williams reported experiencing panic attacks due to the sustained abuse. The situation deteriorated to the point where Gray smashed two Ring doorbells and allowed her dog to foul the couple's doorstep.

Gray pleaded guilty to harassment, two counts of criminal damage, and using threatening words and behaviour. Judge Peter Lodder, sentencing Gray to 40 months imprisonment, noted that her behaviour continued despite previous orders and stated that while alcohol might have been a factor, it served as an aggravation rather than an excuse. In addition to the jail term, Gray received a ten-year restraining order preventing her from coming within a mile of the victims' address or contacting them.

Council Acknowledges Response Time

Wandsworth Borough Council acknowledged that their response to Mr Stanley's complaints could have been faster. Councillor Matthew Corner, Wandsworth Council's cabinet member for housing, stated that the council takes anti-social behaviour seriously and recognises the significant impact on residents. Following Gray's conviction, the council secured an injunction to prevent her return to the property and regained possession. While the Housing Ombudsman did not find maladministration, the council has offered redress to the affected residents.

The ordeal faced by Mr Stanley and Ms Williams was featured in the Channel 5 documentary series “At War With Next Door”.