'I'm the victim, but Asbo won't change my life' - Gower pensioner, 77
A 77-YEAR-OLD woman who failed to quash her anti-social behaviour order has refused to accept she has done anything wrong.
Piroska Zsapka's bid to have the three-year Asbo quashed was rejected by a judge and two magistrates at Swansea Crown Court.
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Asbo plea: Piroska Zsapka
The Gower pensioner was said to have behaved in a threatening manner by "ranting and raving" at residents and visitors.
But despite Judge John Diehl QC saying Zsapka was far from being a "placid person" — the retired car-plant inspector insists she is the victim.
She complained: "My name has been blackened. I have never intimidated anyone. I am not crazy.
"It is all part of a conspiracy to get me and my husband out of here."
Zsapka, of Overton, near Port Eynon, was made the subject of an Asbo last September after magistrates heard details of a series of incidents in which she behaved in a threatening manner. During last week's appeal hearing, she alleged she had been "slandered left, right and centre" by neighbours and that she had been the victim of a conspiracy by the police and Swansea Council.
But evidence given at the appeal, said the Judge, showed the pensioner, originally, from Hungary, was a "fiery character" whose conduct on occasions could be irrational.
Zsapka had developed certain preoccupations and obsessions, the court heard, and she ranted and raved against neighbours and visitors over a number of things including roadside parking, cooking smells and rights of way.
Abusive
Judge Diehl ruled that a three-year Asbo was "appropriate and proportionate" and said its terms prohibited Zsapka from uttering words or making gestures and actions which were abusive, offensive, insulting or threatening to Overton residents or visitors to the hamlet.
But Zsapka was adamant she should not have been given the Asbo.
"When I first moved here in 1977 Overton was a lovely place to live," she said. "But between 1982 and 1986, nearby building work went on all day and all night.
"Since then there have been problems with people parking outside our home and if anything people have been abusive to me."
She also said she had been upset after a video of her shouting at a group of surfers was posted on YouTube.
"I have not shouted or abused anyone," she insisted.
"If anything I am the one who has been victimised. But the Asbo does not change my life — and I am not worried what some people will think of me.
"My friends and husband know the real me.
"And I can look in the mirror every day and know that I am not wrong."
Last week, Judge Diehl warned Zsapka that if she were to breach the Asbo, she would be ordered back to court and could be sent to prison for up to five years.
ben.wright@swwmedia.co.uk
10 Comments
by Vic Tim, Swansea
Tuesday, July 06 2010, 8:16PM
“Heather, Mumbles
Heather, you said, "....that doesn't give anyone the right to abuse an old woman", yet we have been doing the same to you!. The only differences are that you are worse than Piroska Zsapka and probably much older too, but you are a 'nutjob' like her!”
by Heather, Mumbles
Tuesday, July 06 2010, 8:03PM
“Fair point Andrew, Swansea. Fair point, but we need to show a little compassion, although at times I know it is *very* difficult.
You don't know what she's seen as a child. If there's one thing I've learn it's that we all have both good and bad within us.”
by andrew, Swansea
Monday, July 05 2010, 10:37PM
“we were'nt surfing, we were'nt obstructing her drive, we did'nt say or do anything to aggravate an old woman, im just saying what happened and yes to me she seemed an absolute nutjob, i can remember her from about 10 yrs ago, guys i respect my elders, but you have to see her to believe it”
by K Brumpton, Bridgend
Monday, July 05 2010, 8:35PM
“It is disappointing that a ¿lady¿ of 77 needs to have an ASBO, but it is irrational to think that this ¿lady¿ cannot be difficult simply because of her age! Equally, it is difficult to believe that she has been a victim of conspiracy ¿ who, these days, has the time or energy to try and organise such a conspiracy. Perhaps you should have some sympathy for the rest of the villagers whose peace and quiet is regularly shattered and without notice, by completely unprovoked verbal abuse. Everyone has a right to quiet enjoyment of their own personal space and such behaviour is neither acceptable or welcome.”
by Susan, Swansea
Monday, July 05 2010, 6:29PM
“Oh Steve, Swansea what possible harm could she do to someone like you (a big burly bloke and all that?).
Come along now I'm sure that other people are not "hiter than white"! Or are they?”
by Steve, Swansea
Monday, July 05 2010, 6:13PM
“Yes, some surfers have bad manners, but not most; the majority have been verbally abused by this lady for parking on the road in Overton without obstructing anything or causing a problem. Also, most of what she has been accused of is threatening behaviour towards residents, not surfers. This woman is a rebel without a cause, not a victim. I have heard her rows with her husband and they are downright frightening, even as a passerby. Anybody who has visited Overton in the past 20 years will know she is a nasty piece of work. That ASBO is exactly what she deserves, regardless of her age, and should NOT be revoked.”
by Heather, Mumbles
Monday, July 05 2010, 3:40PM
“I feel sorry for this lady, whatever happened to respect. Yes people can be very *trying* at times but that doesn't give anyone the right to abuse an old woman.
So what if she's eccentric; so what if she waves her stick about. I've no doubt that she's been the victim of malice herself.”
by Surfers have bad manners, Swansea
Monday, July 05 2010, 3:26PM
“andy, Swansea; were you obstructing her driveway or something? Did you do anything to offend her/wind her up etc. To call an old lady a nutcase hardly shows that you have neither manner nor compassion.
Maybe someone will do this to your parent/grandparents.”
by andy, Swansea
Monday, July 05 2010, 2:58PM
“im sure this is the same woman who came at me and my mates waving a walking stick and shouting at us because we parked near her house while we went to the shop on the way to a beach, if it is her she is an absolute nutcase and no victim”
by Poor lady, the Gower
Monday, July 05 2010, 11:09AM
“This poor lady. I have no doubt that she is the victim, the victim of the village bully who has rallied his/her friends and gone in for the kill because this lady probably lives alone.
The people of this village should be ashamed of themselves.
I would hate to wake up every morning knowing that I have caused another being such cruelty and misery.
I hope she stays strong and raises above the trash.”