‘I’m no threat’: Guy’s neighbour reveals all in celeb stoush

The elderly neighbour charged with damaging Guy Sebastian’s fence claims he was trying to widen the access to his property so he could wheel in his terminally ill wife’s medical equipment.

Guy Sebastian’s neighbour, Phillip Hanslow, with his terminally ill partner, Carol, at their home in Sydney’s south today. Picture: John Grainger

The elderly neighbour charged with damaging Guy Sebastian’s fence claims he was trying to widen the access to his property so he could wheel in his terminally ill wife’s medical equipment.

Phillip Hanslow, 66, was charged on Monday after an alleged altercation with the singer outside their Maroubra homes, in Sydney’s east.

Mr Hanslow, a builder, is accused of damaging a fence between the two Torrington Rd properties, as well as stalking Sebastian with intent to cause harm.

But Mr Hanslow told The Daily Telegraph he was chiselling at the bricks to give him a bit more room to get trolleys down the side of his narrow semi.

“It’s ludicrous … to suggest I’m a dangerous old man or whatever it is. Come on. I was removing the third layer of bricks … because the way it is now, you scrape your knuckles when you wheel anything down the side,” Mr Hanslow said.

Guy Sebastian is seen leaving his home in Maroubra on Wednesday morning. Picture: NCA Newswire/Gaye Gerard

“My partner of 36 years is terminally ill. She’s plugged up to machines 24 hours a day. I’m her carer …. I have my own medical problems too. Do you think I’ve got time to stalk Guy Sebastian or whatever he says I did? Well I don’t,” he said.

Police claim they were called to the street after the two men were seen arguing and Mr Hanslow was damaging a fence.

Mr Hanslow was arrested and taken to Maroubra police station where he was charged.

He is due to face court on February 2 where he intends to deny allegations he threatened to kill Sebastian.

The two homes in Maroubra. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Mr Hanslow says he and Sebastian have had regular run ins over the past eight years, but this is the first time police have been involved.

“It’s very unfortunate … but the fact remains I was removing the bricks on my side, and I planned to then render the whole thing anyway,” he said.

His partner, Carol, said the tension between the neighbours had made her anxious.

The couple now share their time between a second home in Sydney’s south, to ease the stress.

“It’s a sad situation, just silly really,” she said.

Sebastian drove away from his home on Wednesday without commenting to waiting media.

Sebastian shot to fame when he won Australian Idol in 2003, launching his singing career and leading to other opportunities like being a judge on The Voice Australia.

Before he shot to fame, he was working as a vocal teacher and was a singer at his local church.

His first album Just As I Am went platinum six times and included his debut song from Australian Idol — Angels Brought Me Here.

He has sold almost four million albums and has had six number one singles and two number one albums on the ARIA charts.

Sebastian and his wife Jules — who have two sons, Hudson and Archer — set up The Sebastian Foundation in 2013 to help families across Australia in services covering domestic violence, mental health and teen mentoring.

Originally published as ‘I’m no threat’: Guy’s neighbour reveals all in celeb stoush