A MAN has been banned from entering a North-East village after he became “obsessed” with his former neighbours.

Anthony Duffie is not allowed to enter Norton for one year after he breached a restraining order by smashing his old neighbour’s car with a hammer.

Teesside Crown Court heard the 57-year-old developed an “obsession” with the man and his wife and bombarded them with threats after moving from the street where he lived for 25 years.

The couple now fear his actions could escalate into physical attacks after he destroyed their car with a hammer while “bizarrely” trying to conceal his face with a tree branch.

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, said: “On May 16, the defendant broke a restraining order leaving. He returned and approached the complainant’s car on foot and smashed a hammer down on the car’s rear windows and body.

“Rather bizarrely the defendant used a branch to try to conceal his face.”

Mr Abrahams said the victim, who was on holiday at the time of the incident, said the couple have received threats from Duffie and they are frightened his actions could escalate into something more serious.

He added that the victims has “no idea” why they are being targeted by their former neighbour and the cost of the damage caused is unclear.

But Nigel Soppitt, defending, said Duffie handed himself into police and is seeking treatment for his mental health challenges.

He said: “I think the obsession has gone. He went back and slept at the end of the street with his car.

“The neighbours use to live three or four doors from the defendant, he lived in the street for 25 years.

“Once he realised what he had done he went to the police station, this speaks volumes about him.”

Addressing Duffie, Judge Peter Armstrong said: “I have read the psychiatric report and you are struggling with a number of difficulties which are being addressed.

“However this puts your in breach of a previous restraining order and a suspended sentence of six months. You had an obsession with going to that street when you use to live and cause trouble with your previous neighbours.”

Duffie, of Allerton View, Yarm, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage, breaching a restraining order and breaching a suspended sentence.

He was handed a three month suspended sentence, ordered to pay £525 compensation and was banned from entering Norton for one year and from contacting the couple for five years.