A MOTHER accused of setting two “heavies” on a neighbour has been cleared of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Sandra Ford was alleged to have stood by as two men attacked John Boylan outside his home in Cleaves Way, Ashford.

Mr Boylan’s mother, Patricia, tried to go to his aid after grabbing a baseball bat but he suffered injuries, including a fractured right forearm and dislocated right elbow.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that there had been a dispute between the two families.

Adaku Oragwu, prosecuting, said some of Miss Ford’s children would hang around and cause a nuisance.

On February 11 last year, Mrs Boylan had taken a photograph of one of the boys after she saw him and others kicking a ball against an elderly neighbour’s caravan.

About 30 minutes later, Miss Ford went to the Boylans’ home. Mr Boylan went out to see her and Miss Ford told him that if her children were causing problems, he should speak to her about it.

Miss Oragwu said the Boylans thought that was the end of the matter. But Miss Ford, she said, returned later with two men.

It was alleged that Miss Ford asked: “How about having an argument with me now I am not on my own?”

Mrs Boylan called the police. Her son went to walk back into his house, but was punched by one of the men. There was a struggle and Mr Boylan was aware of something being aimed at his head. He put his arm up to block it.

Mrs Boylan saw one of the men stamp on her son. When he got up, he felt as though his arm was broken.

Mrs Boylan went to a cupboard to fetch her walking stick, but instead grabbed a baseball bat. She tried to hit one of the attackers with it but the other grabbed her arm. The two men and Miss Ford then left.

Miss Oragwu said Miss Ford enlisted the two "heavies" to sort out Mr Boylan and did not use any physical violence herself.

In her defence, Sandra Ford agreed that she had gone to the house on both occasions, but claimed Mr Boylan became aggressive towards her.

A man she did not know appeared in the garden, she said. Mr Boylan hit him and they ended up on the floor.

Miss Ford, who denied the charge, said Mrs Boylan started to hit the man with the baseball bat. Another man she did not know intervened. Both men eventually left and she went home, she added.

A jury found her not guilty and she was discharged.