A JOBLESS salesman who subjected neighbours in a quiet cul-de-sac to a six-month reign of terror was yesterday given a two-year anti-social behaviour order.

Stephen Thoms pushed cat faeces through his next-door neighbour's letterbox, and horrified others with threats, verbal abuse and vandalism.

He let his dog foul their gardens and sent threatening text messages, North Durham Magistrates' Court was told.

Thoms told one neighbour: "You do not want to cross with me. I can be a psychopath. I will make your life hell."

He intimidated neighbours with his driving and stared through their windows in a terror campaign from last May to November.

The 47-year-old, of Auckland, Chester-le-Street, had opposed the Durham Police plea to magistrates for an anti-social behaviour order.

But after a three-day hearing, magistrates made a two-year order banning him from harassing, intimidating or abusing any person in County Durham.

He is also barred from spitting at a person or car and must keep his dog on a lead at all times while in his street.

He cannot take photo-graphs of his neighbours' homes, trespass or remain on any property if asked to leave.

Thoms, who is on income support, was also ordered to pay £3,500 prosecution costs.

The former conservatory salesman refused to comment as he left the court, accom- panied by his partner.

Most of the neighbours who had been terrorised by Thoms were in court, but were reluctant to speak afterwards.

Lynn Stafford, who had been subjected to most of Thoms' hate campaign, had to be comforted by her family after breaking down in tears at the end of the hearing.

PC Steve Shotton, who led the case, said: "It was an ordeal for the witnesses over the three days, being reminded of incidents having occurred over the past few months.

"It is hoped by Durham Police that the verdict reached will give the public reassurance across the County Durham region that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated."