RESIDENTS were gobsmacked when a mystery neighbour from hell slammed them with cruel notes that read “I hope you get cancer”.
The lives of locals in the peaceful village of Shiptonthorpe, East Yorkshire, were plunged into fear when the “vile” letters started two years ago.
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Anonymously typed threats have been posted through letterboxes ever since – and the police are yet to catch the sender, or senders.
They read “everyone agrees you should rot in hell” and “hope cancer finds you very soon”, another said someone should be “pushed under a bus”.
Stunned parish councillors appear to receive the most ominous messages but others have been the target of at least one hit.
It is eerily reminiscent to the plot of drama Wicked Little Letters, based on a true story, starring Olivia Coleman and Jessie Buckley.
The film portrays residents being sent wicked letters and one woman is charged with the blame – until two women investigate deeper.
But, in Shiptonthorpe, Humberside Police are yet to solve the mystery as the sleepy village, of around 500 people, continue to wait for their next twisted letter.
The cowardly writer is also believed to be involved with village politics.
Locals speculate the culprit was also behind posters which read “campaign for the new councillors to be replaced by the old councillors”, after elections last year.
Poor Chairman Victor Lambert said he has been the target of nine letters in the last 18 months.
The 75-year-old said: “I have gone to police three times and they have copies of all the letters.
“I don’t know who sent them, although I have my own personal suspicions. I don’t have any evidence and the police have said there is very little they can do.
“I see comments about being pushed under a bus as a death threat.
“It’s horrible and unpleasant but it has mainly been directed at councillors.”
He branded the sender a “very disturbed person”.
Another resident, Katy Wrathall, who was a former councillor, was also bombarded with the cruel notes.
After her home was flooded, she shared one on social media which read: “Hoping and praying for rain lots of it.
“Climate change and Yorkshire weather will deliver lots of rain so your house can be flooded again and again.
“Most people in Shiptonthorpe are wanting rain and floods so you are washed away never to be seen again….it is you the witch that the village dislikes just keep raining.”
Another sick letter read: “You are an ugly old fat cow who nobody likes most find you revolting. Everyone agrees you should rot in hell.
“You use up oxygen better used by decent people. Kids are frightened when they see you. Hope cancer finds you very soon.”
One shaken up local told the BBC: “It was vile, I ripped it up, I couldn’t believe where it had come from or why I’d received it.
“It was accusing me of what you could call being a loose woman.
“It said the only way I would ever get anywhere within politics would be if I was to perform unspeakable things to men.”
And, her partner has also been sent disturbing letters, signed off “from a caring dear friend”.
He said: “I was frightened. I was worried that anybody would approach her because I didn’t know who else had knowledge of this letter.”
A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: “Inquiries were carried out at the time, including reviewing CCTV.
“However, the content of the alleged letter was unavailable and subsequently no further investigative opportunities were able to be obtained.”
Meanwhile, Leo Hammond, the local councillor and deputy PCC, added: “Mine are relatively mild but they have quite an obsession with my sexuality.
“They keep suggesting I’m a closet homosexual which is not the case.”
He has been sent nine letters in total.
Another local, Jason, said the nightmare ordeal has taken a damaging toll on the village.
“A cloud of vitriol has fallen over Shiptonthorpe,” he said.
“It is a wonderful village with wonderful people, but someone has brought poison to this village.”
Jason even claimed the “devilish” letters are so serious, people have moved away.
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