A BARROW man who harassed his neighbour for five months with abusive language has been handed a community order by magistrates.

David Campbell, 45, of Arnside Street, pleaded guilty to harassing Helen McAloone, who lives in the same street as the defendant, at Furness Magistrates' Court today.

Mr Lee Dacre, prosecuting, told the court that in January or February earlier this year, Campbell called Miss McAloone a "fat slag" and shouted that she was "rotten" outside her front door.

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Over the next five months, the harassment continued with the complainant convinced that Campbell would burn down her house after mumbling about "fire" and "burning".

The 45-year-old, who has learning difficulties and struggles to read and write, was represented in court by Mr Michael Graham.

He conceded that Campbell would not be able to undertake physical work as part of a community order due to arthritis which affects his spine, legs and arms.

Mr Graham said: "He accepts that he has issued comments towards his neighbour.

"He lives on his own but over the course of proceedings he has been forced to move out of his property and live with his son and sleep on the floor.

"They will be residing next door to each other and we can't get around that at this period of time."

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Presiding magistrate, Mr Ian Skillen, issued Campbell with a community order in the form of a 12-week curfew which prevents him from leaving the house between 7pm and 7am.

He was also given a restraining order which prevents him from contacting Miss McAloone and ordered to pay court costs of £85 as well as a victim surcharge of the same amount.