Advances to neighbour put man in court

Winston Markland had previously been warned by police about his behaviour towards his 64-year-old neighbour.

Markland, 51, of Fairhaven Road, St Annes, pleaded guilty to harassment.

He was ordered to pay his victim £50 compensation, fined £180 with £85 costs and told to pay £20 victim’s surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Markland was also made the subject of a 12-month restraining order which bans him from contacting the complainant and going into the grounds of her flat.

Martine Connah, prosecuting, said Markland lived in a flat across the road from the complainant’s flat. She said she had had issues with him for two years, adding that she did not know Markland and did not want to know him, but he would not leave her alone.

In November last year police gave him a harassment warning about his behaviour towards the neighbour.

On February 21 at 6.20pm another neighbour saw Markland peering into the ground windows of the woman’s flat and called the police. About 9pm the complainant heard her door buzzer going.

She and a friend answered the door and saw Markland coming towards them. He made abusive gestures, sticking his fingers up at her, before walking back over the road to his flat.

Steven Townley, defending, said his client, who had no previous convictions, had known the complainant for a number of years after having met through the church.