When most people’s cars sustain “a minor” they claim on the insurance, but Nadine Ingram of Towers Close, Bedlington had a better idea when she lost a wing mirror and suffered some scuffed paint on the windscreen pillar. She decided to sue in the County Court rather than fill in a claim form.

This could have worked out a little better if she’d taken the trouble to locate and properly notify the owners of the large piece of vegetation which assaulted her pride and joy. But instead Nadine issued a summons claiming £300 plus her legal costs against a surprised and shocked distant neighbour Andrew Millne, who up to that point had simply been helping her with an insurance claim. “I get on quite well with Nadine’s partner, and had only been trying to help. So I was miffed to find myself in court over her loss. Even after the first court hearing – when I was approached with an offer to reduce the claim by half – I wasn’t having this nonsense”, he explained.

Andrew decided to research similar cases on the internet and found that the law is pretty common sense on these matters, and that there is quite a high burden of proof on such claimants. Not only was Nadine suing the wrong person, but, despite the late involvement of a local solicitor to advise her, it was established by the court that she had no grounds to sue anyone.

Although he’d originally made a claim for costs, after three court attendances Andrew declined to accept an award of his expenses. “It’s a pyrrhic victory because I’ve lost a valued neighbour in Nadine’s partner, as well as got behind in my work”, said a sad Andrew, who was reluctant to be interviewed for this news item. “I simply want to put a quick end to the silliness, and not make Nadine’s position any worse.”

Next time the Ramsay Street crew screen in Towers Close residents might care to open the window and turn the volume up a little – there’s a message in the theme tune for someone!