A ‘neighbour from hell’ has been jailed after terrorising elderly residents in a usually tranquil village.
Liam Bain, 35, has been causing havoc in Longton, Staffordshire, by shouting obscenities, peering through windows and donning Spider-Man masks and balaclavas to intimidate pensioners. He even went as far as using a hosepipe to soak a woman in her 70s, and obstructing driveways and entrances with his van.
Bain was frequently spotted flexing his muscles in his front window and shadow boxing in the street, shirtless. He would loiter outside his neighbours’ homes, blast loud music from his van and shine lasers at houses and cars.
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He also harassed the elderly residents through their Ring doorbells when he knew they were away from home – knowing full well they would receive an alert on their phones.
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One man was so petrified that he hid behind a hedge when Bain drove his van alongside him in a threatening manner while he was out cycling. Another couple revealed they moved from their spacious upstairs bedroom to a small spare room at the back of their house to escape Bain’s nocturnal harassment, reports Lancs Live.
The neighbours claimed that Bain enlisted his partner and children in his reign of terror. He egged the children on to kick balls into their gardens, and labelled one man a ‘nonce’ and a ‘pervert’.
When workmen arrived to carry out repairs, Bain dared them to fight or arm wrestle him for £50. His intimidation reached such levels that the pensioners felt compelled to pre-warn any visitors about his behaviour.
Residents have been left distraught, with some considering selling their homes they once hoped to enjoy during retirement in, all due to the disruptive antics of one individual.
One grandmother lamented that her grandson refuses to visit her at home anymore; she can only see him at his place or during family events because of Bain’s behaviour.
(Image: Getty Images)
A woman in her 60s expressed the emotional toll: “We are living with the knowledge that every hour of every day we are victims of violence, because violence is not just physical. This leaves scars on our hearts and souls.”
The local troublemaker is now starting an 18-week stint behind bars after admitting to five harassment charges. He’s also been slapped with a five-year ban from setting foot on the street where his partner resides or contacting any of his five victims.
During sentencing, Recorder Kevin Slack didn’t mince his words: “There is, in my judgement, no other way to describe you than behaving as the neighbour from hell. You have caused the residents of these two streets untold misery without there being any cause for you to behave the way you have.”
Slack added: “Some of that may have been childish behaviour but that does not do justice to the scale of misery your conduct has caused. It is a common feature that they say they were afraid of leaving their homes to go and visit their neighbours, for fear of what you may do to them.
“You taunted them, saying there was nothing anyone could do about your conduct. You told one victim you would still be there when they were all dead. There is something the court can do and that is to make a restraining order.”
As Bain was escorted to the cells, he waved at his partner who was seated in the public gallery.
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