A neighbour from hell told a fellow flat tenant, 'I've got a body bag waiting for you,' after being reported for his menacing behaviour. Robert Cockerline played music loudly, slammed doors and banged on the other man's door.
And after being reported, the troublemaker told the other man: "It will take me 10 seconds to deal with you. Come on, big man, let's see what you are made of."
Hull Crown Court heard Cockerline and the other man were neighbours in flats with a shared communal entrance and staircase. In October, Cocklerline was arrested after the man complained about Cockerline's behaviour.
When he was released from custody, Cockerline returned to his flat. But after a gap of two or three weeks without any problems, he banged on the man's door and shouted: "I've seen the f***ing statement, you grass."
As reported by Hull Live, the abuse and harassment continued as well as loud music and banging. "The noise was intrusive due to the thin walls," said prosecutor Andrew Stranex.
"He installed a camera inside his flat in fear of Cockerline coming in to his flat. He does not say that Cockerline has harmed him, he fears that he might."
On February 5, loud music woke the man up at 7am. Cockerline banged on his door and shouted the threats. "This is persistent behaviour and there was significant psychological harm and he had to make significant changes to his lifestyle," said Mr Stranex.
The police were called and, after they arrived, Cockerline shouted and was aggressive. Cockerline had convictions for 44 previous offences, including many for harassment.
The 55-year-old, of King Street, Cottingham, near Hull admitted stalking a neighbour. He denied a charge of witness intimidation and that matter was dropped on the day of a scheduled trial.
David Godfrey, mitigating, said that Cockerline had been in custody for several months from March 30 until being released on July 8. "He doesn't want to have any form of relationship with the complainant," said Mr Godfrey.
"They are still living in very close proximity to each other. They are neighbours."
Recorder Peter Makepeace QC said that the other man had worked with the police to try to help Cockerline by agreeing to a lesser charge being accepted. "That speaks extraordinary volumes for him," said Recorder Makepeace.
"It was clearly persistent. The harm and distress you caused was very serious," he added. Cockerline had already served the equivalent of a six-month prison sentence because of his time on remand in custody.
"It would be quite wrong for me to pass a further custodial sentence today," said Recorder Makepeace. Cockerline had made progress and, because of help he had received, was now a "very different person", the court heard.
He was given 25 days' rehabilitation and a five-year restraining order.
