Sault couple awarded more than $500K for enduring life with hellish neighbours

We've all had neighbours we didn't like, but two people from Sault Ste. Marie have been awarded more than half a million dollars for the 'extreme' behaviour of the people who lived next to them.

We've all had neighbours we didn't like, but two people from Sault Ste. Marie have been awarded more than half a million dollars for the "extreme" behaviour of the people who lived next to them.

Between May 2019 and July 2023, police were called at least 119 times because of problems at the Pentagon Boulevard residence.

According to the court decision in the case, after years of trying to address the outrageous behaviour, the couple finally sued the neighbour in 2022 for, among other things, "damages for multiple private nuisances, trespasses, mental distress, out-of-pocket expenses and punitive damages."

"The plaintiffs further seek mandatory and prohibitory permanent injunctive relief and their full costs of this action," the court documents said.

The problematic behaviour included allowing "guests" – including squatters – and animals to make noise all night and day. The guests and animals – including dangerous dogs – routinely trespassed onto the couple's property, again at hours of the day and night.

The guests also engaged in "criminal activity," including -- but not limited to – "fighting, domestic violence, possession of stolen property, assaults, batteries, the sale and use of narcotics and the discharge of firearms."

On one occasion, gunshots hit the couple's property.