A BUSINESSMAN who has terrorised his neighbours was back in court yesterday for breaching an interim Anti Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) by taking photographs in his street.

Stephen Thoms' latest appearance arises from a dispute in which he is alleged to have left a neighbour feeling intimidated and fearful.

The Asbo prohibits Thoms from taking photographs of any properties other than his own in the residential street of Auckland, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

He is also banned from spitting on people or cars, harassing, intimidating or abusing people, and has to keep his dog on a lead at all times.

The order followed a six-month campaign of harassment.

Steph Donnington, prosecuting, told Consett magistrates that Lisa Owen had seen Thoms standing at the bottom of the driveway with his phone. She said he told her he was ringing the police as her car was blocking him.

Ms Owen later saw Thoms taking photographs. He said he was taking them as evidence and would deny that he had taken them - but that his friend took the pictures, the court was told.

Mr Thoms' friend, John Redmond, admitted to the court that, to protect Thoms, he had "foolishly lied" when he initially told police it that he had taken photographs.

He said he had, in fact, seen two flashes of a camera and saw Mr Thoms walking toward him with a camera.

PC Claire Trewick said Ms Owen was physically shaken when she arrived.

She added Thoms had denied having taken any photographs. No photographs had been found, the court was told.

Thoms, 47, denied breaching the interim Asbo. The case was adjourned to December 12.