A TAUNTON man who subjected his disabled neighbour to a “campaign of hate” including threatening to kill him, has been spared prison.

Michael Adams, 55, of Alder Close, Lower Holway, pleaded guilty to causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress towards his neighbour at the time of the offence.

This included threats such as “I will slit your throat”, “I’m going to kill you” and words to that effect. Adams would also bang on the floor while shouting, the court heard.

Adams, who appeared in Taunton Crown Court on Friday, July 29, lived in the flat above the victim.

He has previously appeared in court in relation to harassment of the same neighbour, the court heard.

Following his last appearance in court, in July 2015, Adams was given a restraining order.

The harassment stopped while the restraints were in place, but then started again earlier this year.

Prosecuting Laura Searle said that the victim “felt threatened and intimidated” by Adams and that the defendant could be heard shouting abuse.

Mrs Searle added that the complainant felt “so victimised that he would sit in the dark so that the defendant would not know he was home.”

Judge David Ticehurst said: “You (Adams) have persistently shouted abusive things towards a disabled man. He has said he feels exhausted, stressed and scared to go out on his own.

“He said ‘I feel terrorised in my own home’. You have deliberately targeted him.”

The case was sent to crown court as magistrates’ court felt he deserved a stronger sentence than they could impose.

Mrs Searle also applied for a restraining order until further notice, saying: “This victim needs to be able to feel safe and rebuild himself after this length of time.”

Defending, Edward Boyce said: “He accepts his behaviour; that he has behaved appallingly towards his neighbour. He invites me to apologise to the court and the complainant in the matter.

“Mr Adams has given up his tenancy which he had for 26 years. He has a number of mental health issues for which he receives medication.”

Judge Ticehurst asked Adams why he acted in the way he did, to which the defendant replied: “I don’t know sir. I had these mental breakdowns and I would lash out.”

Sentencing Mr Ticehurst said: “Given the way you subjected him to abuse and given his disability, it seems to me that this has crossed the custody threshold.”

Adams was given a 12 month prison sentence, which has been suspended for two years.

“The sentence would have been one of eight months but for the aggravating feature that you picked on someone with a disability. It was only (the complainant) you subjected to this campaign of hate,” Mr Ticehurst added.

“Trying (to stay away from him) will not be enough. You will stop or you will go to prison.”

Adams has also be ordered to fulfil a rehabilitation activity requirement for up to 20 days and pay compensation of £400 within the next six months.