Eeyore
08-03-07, 08:06 AM
Noisy neighbour is fined by court
A PENSIONER was forced out of her home because her neighbour - who was shouting abuse at his computer - turned his PC rage on her.
Newton Aycliffe magistrates in County Durham were told yesterday how David Ellerton would scream abuse into the microphone of his computer so loud that his 70-year-old neighbour had to wear earplugs.
Derek Walton, prosecuting, said since the summer, the widower would often hear foul and abusive language, which would go on until the early hours.
Mr Walton said the woman complained to Ellerton's partner after another bad tempered episode on Boxing Day, but attempts to find a solution failed.
"She broke down during a conversation to her daughter, who took her to the police to report what had been happening and then took her to stay at her house," said Mr Walton.
On learning that the police had been informed, Mr Walton said Ellerton shouted abuse and swore through the wall at the pensioner.
"On February 25, she returned to her house after her daughter had collected her again," said Mr Walton.
"She went round the back and noticed that there was red spray paint on the rear dining room window that the defendant had previously broken before but had paid for."
Lyanne Steinberg, mitigating, said the 42-year-old engineer of Raby Road, Ferryhill, was normally a very quiet mild mannered man.
"Each time he has had a drink he has gone onto his computer and into a depression help chat room.
"It appears that other people use this chat room not for the purpose which it is intended, and he says that some people log in who are essentially trouble makers and he reacts to them.
"All the time his behaviour and his actions have not been directed at her, it has always been at his computer," said Miss Steinberg.
Ellerton pleaded guilty to criminal damage on February 25 and harassment between December 26 and February 25.
He was ordered to pay the woman £100 compensation, was fined £200, ordered to pay £60 costs and has been made the subject of a restraining order prohibiting him from harassing, pestering or interfering with the woman, directly or indirectly, for the next two years.
Speaking after the case, Ellerton said that he first went onto the internet looking for help with his depression.
He said: "Some people just go on there to goad people though they just wind people up on purpose. It came to a head when the police first came round. I should have stopped when I realised how much distress I was causing my neighbour, I did take the microphone off but it was a bit late."
Source (http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/display.var.1243320.0.noisy_neighbour_is_fined_by_ court.php)
A PENSIONER was forced out of her home because her neighbour - who was shouting abuse at his computer - turned his PC rage on her.
Newton Aycliffe magistrates in County Durham were told yesterday how David Ellerton would scream abuse into the microphone of his computer so loud that his 70-year-old neighbour had to wear earplugs.
Derek Walton, prosecuting, said since the summer, the widower would often hear foul and abusive language, which would go on until the early hours.
Mr Walton said the woman complained to Ellerton's partner after another bad tempered episode on Boxing Day, but attempts to find a solution failed.
"She broke down during a conversation to her daughter, who took her to the police to report what had been happening and then took her to stay at her house," said Mr Walton.
On learning that the police had been informed, Mr Walton said Ellerton shouted abuse and swore through the wall at the pensioner.
"On February 25, she returned to her house after her daughter had collected her again," said Mr Walton.
"She went round the back and noticed that there was red spray paint on the rear dining room window that the defendant had previously broken before but had paid for."
Lyanne Steinberg, mitigating, said the 42-year-old engineer of Raby Road, Ferryhill, was normally a very quiet mild mannered man.
"Each time he has had a drink he has gone onto his computer and into a depression help chat room.
"It appears that other people use this chat room not for the purpose which it is intended, and he says that some people log in who are essentially trouble makers and he reacts to them.
"All the time his behaviour and his actions have not been directed at her, it has always been at his computer," said Miss Steinberg.
Ellerton pleaded guilty to criminal damage on February 25 and harassment between December 26 and February 25.
He was ordered to pay the woman £100 compensation, was fined £200, ordered to pay £60 costs and has been made the subject of a restraining order prohibiting him from harassing, pestering or interfering with the woman, directly or indirectly, for the next two years.
Speaking after the case, Ellerton said that he first went onto the internet looking for help with his depression.
He said: "Some people just go on there to goad people though they just wind people up on purpose. It came to a head when the police first came round. I should have stopped when I realised how much distress I was causing my neighbour, I did take the microphone off but it was a bit late."
Source (http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/display.var.1243320.0.noisy_neighbour_is_fined_by_ court.php)