A BITTER dispute between two families on a New Milton housing estate erupted into violence when a frenzied mob burst into granddad Jeffrey Rostigina's home and beat him to death.

It was the savage climax to a long-standing feud between the Rostigina and Crutcher families, which had been simmering for years.

In August 2003 roofer Peter Crutcher, his two teenage sons and his 11-year-old daughter moved into Howe Close, in the North Milton Estate - two doors down from Mr Rostigina and his family.

And just six weeks later the incident that sparked the bitter feud between the two families occurred.

Frightened neighbours spoke of how both families would often hurl abuse at each other in heated verbal exchanges, up until the night of the attack.

But few imagined it would boil over with such tragic results, although one neighbour claimed "it was waiting to happen."

In February 2003 Mr Rostigina's son Jeffrey Jnr, who lived with his unemployed father, was convicted of a sexual offence.

He appeared before Southampton Crown Court where he pleaded guilty, but he was spared jail because his intelligence fell in the bottom two per cent of the country.

His cousin, who was also charged with the same offence, was jailed for three-and-a-half years.

But the Crutcher family also had a troubled past.

Nearly ten years before, Mr Crutcher, 47, and his former partner Ginette, 36, who changed her name to Crutcher by deed poll, were evicted from their council home in Wagtail Drive, New Milton.

In the ensuing court case Bournemouth County Court heard how two families neighbouring the Crutchers moved into bed-and-breakfast accommodation because they found that they were living in constant fear of the family.

District judge Brandeth Woods granted New Forest District Council a possession order after he was told Mrs Crutcher was frequently in arrears with her rent and was a nuisance to neighbours.

Summing up the case the judge told Mrs Crutcher: "You have been like a cuckoo in the nest kicking out all the baby wagtails."

Days before the eviction New Forest Magistrates Court convicted Mrs Crutcher of assaulting one of her neighbours.

The court heard how victim Donna Sutton's two-year-old daughter clung to her mother's skirt while Mrs Crutcher repeatedly punched her, making her fall and strike her head against a wall.

Mrs Crutcher's husband was given a one-year conditional discharge after threatening to kill his neighbours when he returned home and discovered his wife had been arrested for the assault.

After the incident that sparked the long-running dispute between the Crutcher and Rostigina families, the police persuaded Mr Crutcher, who has lived in New Milton since he was 15 years old, and his children to move to B & B accommodation in the New Forest.

But the family felt isolated and moved back to Howe Close a few weeks later.

Mr Crutcher, who has been a roofer for 26 years, claimed he tried to move away for good, but the only alternative New Forest District Council could offer his family was a home in Boldre - far away from friends and relatives.

As the two-month trial into the murder of Mr Rostigina came to an end on Monday, members of his family said they wanted to move on.

In a prepared statement they said: "Our family has been through so much since the troubles started between the two families, which ultimately lead to the death of our dad.

"We accept the verdicts and we will now try to begin to rebuild our lives and move on. We hope that others will allow us to do that.

"We are grateful to the police for their support throughout and thankful to the investigation team which collected the evidence that allowed the jury to reach its verdict."

The trial, which opened on November 16 last year, cost around £2 million, including more than £300,000 spent on gathering forensic evidence.

A spokesman for Hampshire police said: "This was a despicable crime and from the outset we were determined to bring those responsible to justice.

"We are pleased with the verdict, but our thoughts are now with the family of Mr Rostigina. We thank them for their patience and courage throughout the investigation and hope they can now start to rebuild their lives."

First published: February 1

ROSTIGINA TRIAL - THE VERDICTS

Ginette Crutcher, 36, of Howe Close, New Milton - guilty of murder.

Lee Crutcher, 17, of Howe Close, New Milton - guilty of murder.

Sam Marks, 15, of Vaudrey Close, Shirley, Southampton - guilty of murder.

Gavin Gore, 25, of Vaudrey Close, Shirley, Southampton - not guilty of murder but guilty of violent disorder.

A 15-year-old, who cannot be named - not guilty of murder and two counts of violent disorder.

Peter Crutcher, 47, of Howe Close, New Milton - found not guilty of murder and violent disorder at the direction of the judge.