Published: Wednesday, 29th July, 2009 1:00pm

Nuisance neighbour is banned from own home

Man given ASBO after terrorising residents

ASBO: Dumbarton Sheriff Court

A NUISANCE neighbour who threatened residents and blasted music out of his windows has been banned from returning to his home for six months.

"Long suffering" neighbours of Whitecrook man Charles Mackie were finally forced to call the police after he terrorised two residents in the space of just five days.

And now the 54-year-old has been slapped with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) after appearing in the dock at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Thursday.

Paul Ayre, fiscal depute, described the disorderly incidents and explained that some of the language which was used during the outbursts was too outrageous to be repeated.

He added: "The complainers in this case are the accused's neighbours and they describe the relationship as being a long suffering one.

"[During the second incident] the complainer was in his front garden when he saw the accused, who started shouting and swearing at him.

"[The complainer's] wife heard what was happening and she came out when phrases, which were of quite an abusive nature, were made.

"This continued for some time and later on in the afternoon the shouting started again.

"In the process of the afternoon there was music played very loudly."

During the first incident the victim saw Mackie from the window of her house and he started shouting at her before grabbing hold of the gates to her driveway and shaking them.

Mackie admitted the two breaches of the peace - which took place on June 24 and 28 on Davidson Street, Whitecrook - at a previous court appearance and he was given bail with the special condition that he did not go back to his house.

But the very next day he breached this condition when terrified neighbours saw him return.

Judith Reid, defending, said: "The situation is that there were no obvious ongoing issues.

"It is fair to say that Mr Mackie does not like his neighbours and they do not like him.

"He says that in the past he has played loud music but insists that there is now a campaign to get him out.

"His brother died very recently and he has struggled to deal with that.

"There is animosity with all the neighbours and his behaviour is part of this which he accepts is entirely unacceptable.

"His position is that he was not really under the influence of alcohol and he has substantially cut his alcohol intake of late."

Mackie was already on a probation order for another matter when he was charged with the peace breaches, which means he has also breached this.

Sheriff Margaret Gimblett placed Mackie, c/o Friel, Perth Crescent, Mountblow, on an ASBO for an indefinite period of time which will prohibit him shouting, swearing, uttering threats or playing music at excessive levels.

Sentencing for the offences was deferred for six months for him to be of good behaviour with the special condition that he does not return to his Whitecrook home during this time. Sheriff Gimblett added: "You have been in custody as a result of this but should you break your ASBO or not comply with probation then there is only one place you will be going."

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