Norfolk's most bizarre tenancy dispute has ended up in front of a judge again - before "lost" paperwork saw the case thrown out.

Sex therapist 'Lady Pea' Patricia Ramshaw continues to be locked in a row with the wealthy Cator family over the rental of the Old House in Ranworth in the heart of the Broads.

The dispute, which involves a menagerie of animals, allegations of church tower spying and "intimidating" horses, has been rumbling on in the picturesque village for more than a year.

Eastern Daily Press:

In its latest legal twist, Lady Pea and members of the Cator family attended Norfolk County Court as the tenant looked to block a possession order calling for her to leave the property.

The short hearing saw Lady Pea state that she had sought refuge by renting the house while attempting to flee domestic violence - but that the house was uninhabited.

She said she had paid the Cators a year's rent in advance, but found the property without central heating, riddled with mould and "freezing cold". 

She says the Cator family agreed to repay her in full, but that talks over the terms of her departure had broken down.

At a previous hearing, the Cator family convinced a judge to make a possession order against her.

Eastern Daily Press:

However, the latest hearing was set following an application from Lady Pea to suspend the order.

But District Judge Russell threw the case out stating the court had not received the necessary paperwork to back up the appeal from Lady Pea - and that she had "no prospects of succeeding".

Lady Pea, however, insists that she submitted the paperwork and that the court had "lost them".

The judge said: "I have no evidence that you have made any application - you say the court staff are looking into it, but I have seen no record of any grounds of appeal.

"There is no record of this and I can only go with what the court has.

"I am dismissing the appeal you have made as it has no substance and no prospects of succeeding."

The judge also dismissed a request from the Cators for a restraining order against Lady Pea.

Byroni Kleopa, representing the Cators said that at a previous court date, Lady Pea had submitted a 400-page witness statement via email on the day of the hearing.

She said: "We have had application, after application, after application and every one of them has failed. 

"The tenant has not paid rent for over a year and has arrears of £41,000 which continues to increase on a daily basis."

Lady Pea, however, dismissed her statement as "lies".

The bizarre dispute began in November 2021 when Lady Pea agreed to rent the period home from the Cator family.

Since talks broke down over her vacation of the property the bitter spat has played out in court rooms across the region, with tribunal and district judge presiding over several hearings.

During one of these, Lady Pea alleged that Jane Cator, the mother of her landlord Sam, had spied on her from a nearby church tower.

The Cators, however, allege that Lady Pea breached the terms of her tenancy when she arrived with a menagerie of animals, including four dogs, several sheep, horses, ducks and geese.

Lady Pea is desperate to leave the property and the Cators want the same outcome.

However, the stand-off is centred around Lady Pea's plea to be refunded more than £40,000 in rent and £13,000 in energy bills accumulated while she has been living in the home.

The Cator family has declined to comment on the case.