A MAN who subjected his neighbours to a hate campaign as a dispute over access spiralled out of control has been told he can appeal against his two-year jail term.

Francis Goble, of Front Street, Dipton, near Stanley, County Durham, pleaded guilty to being in breach of a restraining order at Newcastle Crown Court, in June.

The restraining order had been placed on Goble under the Protection From Harassment Act 1997.

He phoned police and falsely told them his neighbours were engaged in criminal activities, leading to their house being put under surveillance.

The 64-year-old was given the jail sentence after a judge said he wanted to prevent him from repeating his behaviour, and did not believe he would seek help if he was spared a jail term.

But yesterday, three judges sitting at London's Court of Appeal gave Goble permission to appeal.

Mr Justice Gage, who heard the case with Lord Justice Latham and Mr Justice Eady, said although the matter was serious it was arguable two years was too long.

Goble's case will now return to the Court of Appeal, where his legal team will be given the opportunity to argue the sentence should be cut.

No date was set for the full hearing of his sentence appeal.