Woman jailed for life after killing her neighbour with a shovel in garden fence row

Louise Lotz (L) was killed by her neighbour Debby Foxwell (R)
Hertfordshire Constabulary
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A woman has been jailed for life for beating her neighbour to death with a shovel after years of “visceral hatred” exploded in an argument over a garden fence.

Debby Foxwell, 41, was sentenced today to a minimum of 21 years after being found guilty of murdering her neighbour, Louise Lotz.

The former councillor sustained fatal head injuries outside her home in Fordwich Road, Welwyn Garden City.

A jury at St Albans Crown Court found Foxwell guilty of her murder at the tragic climax of a bitter neighbourhood feud.

The jury heard how over the course of many years, the two women had grown to develop a deep dislike and distrust of one another.

On the day of the murder, the women had been in an argument about a garden fence. The court heard that later that evening, Foxwell used a mobile phone to record Louise in her garden.

When Louise realised, she grabbed the phone. Foxwell then forced access to her neighbour’s home, armed with a garden spade, and chased Louise outside.

The 64-year-old former councillor, who had been on the phone to police at the time, ran to another house, shouting "help me, help me".

She was attacked by Foxwell, who hit her four or five times with the side of the spade, witnesses said.

Police and the ambulance service were called but Louise was pronounced dead at the scene.

Passing the sentence to Foxwell today, the judge described the murder as “vicious and savage, carried out in wild anger”.

Det Insp Iain MacPherson, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “I hope that Debby Foxwell will now reflect on the horrific crime she committed and the pain she has put Louise’s loved ones through.”

“My thoughts are with Louise’s family and friends at what continues to be a difficult time. While nothing will make up for their loss, I hope that this sentence helps to give them some closure.”

In a statement, Louise’s family said: “Louise was a loving mother, sister and grandmother. Her death has come as a shock to us all, we will miss her dearly.

“We are still trying to come to terms with this tragic loss and the circumstances surrounding it, we ask that our privacy is respected at this time.”

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