Bassingham: Trial for women charged with stalking postponed

The charges follow reports of the women directing threats towards other residents in Bassingham

The trial of two women charged with stalking in Lincolnshire has been postponed for five months.

Linda Lu, 34, and her mother, Susan Chen, 60, of Linga Lane in Bassingham, denied stalking charges involving serious harm and distress.

They were alleged to have harassed residents in the Lincolnshire village in 2023.

Ms Lu is defending herself and Ms Chen in the case and was granted more time to review material for the trial.

The women appeared at Lincoln Magistrates' Court

The two women appeared via video link from HMP Peterborough on 9 April 2024 for what was originally meant to be the second day of a seven-day trial at Lincoln Magistrates' Court.

It has now been pushed back to 9 September, after His Honour Judge James House KC said there was a "significant delay" in sending media material to Ms Lu.

Ms Lu submitted an application on 8 April to vacate the original trial date to allow herself and Ms Chen more time to consider the material for the case, which was granted by Judge House.

The media material, which was delayed in being sent to HMP Peterborough for Ms Lu to review, will be used as evidence in the trial.

Bail conditions

The delay by Lincoln Crown Court took place between two hearings on 13 November 2023 and 3 January 2024.

Judge House has granted bail to the defendants under the conditions that they do not enter Lincolnshire unless for court appearances after their custody time limit ends on 10 April.

They are also not allowed to contact any prosecution witness except the officer in charge of the case to liaise with accessing material for the trial.

Reports were made of the women making threats and using vulgar language after moving into a property in Bassingham in March 2023, Lincoln Crown Court previously heard.

Between 15 July and 29 September that year, the women allegedly played music on a 24-hour-loop and called one person a "retard" and "paedophile".

The defendants claimed it was they who were being "stalked". A pre-trial review hearing has been scheduled for 24 May 2024.