A MAN who was abusive to his disabled neighbour during a campaign of harassment has escaped sentencing.

James Mulvey, 75, repeatedly abused his neighbour over six months outside their homes in St George’s Crescent, Orleton. The comments Mulvey made were hostile and based on the victim’s disability, as he has one leg.

Hereford Magistrates’ Court heard that the victim’s doorbell had captured audio footage, but that it was unclear as to whether it was the defendant that could be heard making remarks on it. Mulvey had not been caught on camera.

He originally denied the offence, but later entered a guilty plea to one count of harassment without violence, which took place between November 28, 2022 and May 25, 2023.

He was handed a 20-month conditional discharge, with magistrates uplifting the length of the discharge by two months because the abuse was based on the victim’s disability.

Mulvey was ordered to pay court costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £26 when he was sentenced on March 11.

The court heard that he had signed a contract with his housing provider and was told that if he did not comply, the provider would take action, There were no further instances of bad behaviour since the contract was signed.