A MAN who drove his neighbours from their home by harassing them and wrongfully branding one of them a paedophile has been spared jail.

Stephen Melvyn Devonport was in court yesterday where he admitted harassing his neighbours during a fivemonth feud.

Magistrates heard how the 43-year-old, who was manager of a factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, drove his victims, a couple in their 40s, to move from their home of 19 years.

Alison Nunn, prosecuting, said the couple had enjoyed a trouble-free life until Devonport moved into his £220,000 detached home in Whitworth Meadows, Spennymoor, County Durham, in June last year.

The couple reported several incidents to police in May this year, including a living room window being smashed and superglue being poured into door locks.

Devonport was given a harassment warning by officers and his neighbours installed security cameras.

Miss Nunn said yesterday there was no evidence to suggest Devonport was responsible for the damage, but the security footage showed evidence of harassment.

She said: “Two gentlemen have gone to (Devonport’s) home to purchase some alloy wheels. He could clearly be heard telling these males that his neighbour was a paedo.”

Miss Nunn said Devonport suggested the men throw a brick through the couple’s window and urinate in the garden.

Andy Clinton, for Devonport did not offer any mitigation yesterday, but at an earlier hearing he described his actions as out of character.

He said Devonport was extremely ashamed and remorseful about the incidents but that they had been “tit for tat” after a row over a driveway.

He said: “They did things that he did not like and he did things they did not like. It got to the point where, coupled with having had a few drinks, he acted out of character.”

Devonport yesterday admitted harassment between April and September and was ordered to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £85 costs.

Sentencing, chairman of the bench Christopher Shaw said: “The imminent birth of your child and the loss of your job are the only reasons we have not given you a custodial sentence.”