'Britain's worst neighbour' installed high-pitched alarm to 'hurt kids'

Lesley Cooper from Devon has been described as 'Britain's worst neighbour' thanks to her petty war on the family next door. Photo / File / 123RF

A retired magistrate has made headlines after "terrorising" a young family — in a very unique way.

Three years ago, Lesley Cooper, who lives Torquay in Devon, England, installed a special "mosquito" alarm that's so high-pitched only young people aged under 25 can hear it.

The alarms point directly at her next door neighbour Thomas Weldon's property — and the 52-year-old told The Sun it was a direct attack on his youngest kids.

Weldon, a single father-of-10 whose six youngest kids live with him at the rental property, said on one occasion he had even taken his seven-year-old daughter to hospital as a result of the painful screeching.

"We're not allowed to step outside our front door because as soon as we do she puts it on," he told the publication.

"It's an absolute nightmare. It's driving us absolutely mad. My children can't come out of the house and play — it's like living in a prison.

"I had to take my seven-year-old daughter to hospital because she was screaming in pain because the alarm makes such a high-pitched noise."

Weldon, a removal business owner, told Metro he didn't want to move out of the property, but that his kids were living "like prisoners".

"It's not just me she's terrible to, it's the whole area — she really is Britain's worst neighbour," he said.

"I absolutely love where I live but I just can't stand the terror she's causing.

"I've got six children (at home) and she's been vile to all of them."

The $1000 device installed by 74-year-old Ms Cooper was originally designed to prevent anti-social behaviour by deterring young people from loitering in public places.

But despite Mr Weldon's claims the alarm, which is activated via a motion sensor, was a breach of his children's "human rights", it is completely legal.

In fact, Cooper told The Sun it was approved by the local council and police and even the European Court of Justice and the British Parliament.

"It has been authorised because of the persistent nuisance which disturbs my residence by the family at the rear of my property," she said.

"They have continually vandalised, harassed and made a complete nuisance of themselves.

"I think I am a very good resident. I am an honest-living, concerned neighbour at all times and I wish others to behave likewise."