A FALL-out over the building of a conservatory led to a man launching an eight-month campaign of intimidation against a neighbour and his family, a court was told.

After the case, victims Colin Allum and his partner Jacqueline Wilkinson said the actions of Mark Garrard had left them fearful of leaving their home in Sylvan Drive, Burnley.

The town's magistrates heard that Garrard, 46, had stuck two fingers up at father-of-four Mr Allum everyday and had attacked him.

He sent Mr Allum and his partner Jacqueline Wilkinson an upsetting card addressed to Mr and Mrs Dingle, the court heard.

Garrard also sent Mr Allum's boss a letter about a county court order against him to humiliate him at work, the court was told.

Garrard admitted harassment following the incidents between last March and November.

He was given a six-month community order with super-vision and told to pay £50 costs, but the bench did not make a restraining order, saying they thought it might make things worse.

After the case Mr Allum, 43, an installation manager for Upgrade Windows, said he considered Garrard a friend until the fallout.

Mr Allum said: "This is a nice quiet place and everybody else gets on with each other.

"I have been here since the houses were built and we are not going to be forced to move.

"We just want to be left in peace and be able to live a quiet life."

Miss Wilkinson added: "I feel too scared to walk out down my road.

"We were hoping to get a restraining order out against him.

"It was so disappointing that we haven't even got that."

The court was told of the fall-out.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, said Garrard did not adhere to the conditions of the contract for the conservatory and refused to let Mr Allum finish it.

There was a dispute over a deposit which went to the civil court, but Garrard lost and began an appeal.

Mr Robinson said the defendant then continually hararrsed Mr Allum and his family, swearing and repeatedly gesticulating.

He then got a caution for assaulting Mr Allum.

And last May Mr Allum and his family received the 'New Home' card which distressed them, whlie between June and September Garrard carried on putting two fingers up at them, Mr Robinson said.

The prosecutor said last October the appeal over the civil dispute was heard and Garrard lost the case.

He then opened the boot of his car, sat on the edge of it looking at Mr Allum's house and as soon as his neighbour walked out, the defendant hit the hammer against his hand in a threatening manner.

Mr Allum was frightened for his safety and called police. Garrard was given a formal warning over his conduct.

Mr Robinson said on November 19 Mr Allum's works manager received a letter.

Garrard had obtained a history of county court orders on the internet.

One was against Mr Allum and he had sent a copy to his employers to embarrass him, Mr Robinson said.

Garrard represented himself in court. He told justices he had paid £3,000 for something he never got and felt he had been "ripped off".

He claimed to the court both Mr Allum and Miss Wilkinson had stuck two fingers up and shouted abuse at his 15-year-old daughter.

The defendant claimed Mr Allum and Miss Wilkinson, who were in court, were "laughing in his face".