A Staffordshire man spent months terrorising his neighbours because he blamed their cats for killing his birds.
Izaak Bradbury, 29, of School Road, Wetton, admitted two offences of harassment when he appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre last month.
He was back at the same court for sentencing on Tuesday, 7th June 2022.
Harassment is an offence contrary to section 2 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. It has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.
Angela Trafford, prosecuting at the initial hearing, told Magistrates: "During the summer of 2021, both victims started to have problems with the defendant. He was accusing their cats of killing his birds.
"The defendant attended their home address and was very aggressive towards the female injured party. His comments caused her such distress that she called the police.
"He said things like he would break her neck like her cat had done to his birds. She said she tried to reason with him but couldn't, so shut the door."
An abusive comment was scratched into the paintwork of his neighbours' car and Bradbury posted cat faeces through their letterbox.
Ms Trafford said: "This behaviour culminated in the victims having to install CCTV at a cost of £1,100. The police spoke to Mr Bradbury and the victims hoped the CCTV would cease his behaviour. Unfortunately, it did not.
"In December, when it had snowed, he walked outside their address and wrote 'Pervs' in the snow with his foot. Two days later, he threw cat faeces towards their vehicles and greenhouse. A few days later, he could be seen throwing cat faeces at their car."
Paige Morgan, mitigating, told the court: "Mr Bradbury had 24 birds, 10 of which he lost due to his neighbours' cats. He was very upset and angry about this. These were impulsive actions.
"He was going through a difficult period at the time due to Covid and his grandfather, who has since passed away, was unwell. There have been no further incidents in recent months and he has kept well away from the victims in this case."
Appearing last Tuesday for sentencing, Bradbury was clearly amused at proceedings.
Joanne Fox, Presiding Justice, remarked: "I have observed you smirking at certain points throughout the proceedings. I think you have underestimated the seriousness of your position you find yourself in and you have demonstrated a clear lack of maturity.
"Your behaviour has caused your neighbours to feel unsafe in their own home. That is totally unacceptable."
Bradbury rolled his eyes as Ms Fox continued: "You clearly have some underlying issues. You need to address those issues and we agree the best way to do that is with the Probation Service."
James Hulse, mitigating at the sentencing hearing, said: "What Mr Bradbury will say is he has watched the cat wander into his garden a thousand times and defecate. He has always cleaned it up and got on with his day.
"In 2021 he is locked down, and the garden patch becomes his haven. He went there every day and there was more cat faeces. He says one day he just lost his temper. There is also some suggestion his birds have been killed and he believes a particular cat is responsible.
"There were other issues in his life at the time. His grandad was very poorly and he had other personal issues. The injured parties were the target rather than the reason he was doing it."
Bradbury was sentenced to a 12-month community order, with 80 hours' unpaid work and 15 days' rehabilitation activity requirement.
Ms Fox told him: "That will get you out of your bedroom, stop you playing computer games and get you focussed on these matters."
He was also made subject to a 12-month restraining order that prohibits him from contacting the neighbours concerned.
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