Court told of businessman's reign of terror

Stephen Thoms pushed dog faeces through the letterbox of his next door neighbour, as well as horrifying others with threats, verbal abuse and vandalism.

Thoms allowed his dog to foul neighbours' gardens and sent threatening text messages, North Durham Magistrates' Court was told.

He even told one neighbour: ''You do not want to cross with me. I'll have a word, then a civil court, then a balaclava.

''I can be a psychopath. I will make your life hell.''

Thoms would also intimidate neighbours with his driving and even stared through open windows into their homes.

His reign lasted for six months between May and November last year, the court was told.

Durham Police have asked JPs to impose an anti-social behaviour order on the 47-year-old former conservatory salesman in order to stop him.

Thoms, of Auckland, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, is opposing the application at North Durham Magistrates' Court in Durham City.

Neighbour Jason Smallman, who lives at No 98, told JPs how Thoms had targeted him over problems with parking.

Thoms, who lives at No 95, would drive in an aggressive manner at him, would threaten him and even followed his own father for a terrifying three-mile drive around Chester-le-Street.

The computer programmer said Thoms had called him a ''pathetic t'' and threatened to put nails through his tyres of his father's car.

To his father, Thoms is alleged to have said: ''I'll find out where you live. I'll make your life hell.''

Mr Doig said Thoms even told Mr Smallman: ''You do not want to cross with me. I'll have a word, then a civil court, then a balaclava.

''I can be a psychopath. I will make your life hell.''

Describing the defendant, the witness said: ''Mr Thoms has a character that is amiable at first. Then he gets agitated and he grits his teeth and talks at the same time.''

Neil Connell, for Thoms, produced a handwritten scribbled note, which had allegedly been placed on the windscreen of his client's Mercedes. It said: ''Please do not park here again c.''

Mr Smallman denied he had written it. He also denied telling Thoms to ''f off'' or that his father, George, had swung at the defendant with a hammer during a heated discussion on September 26.

Giving evidence afterwards, George Smallman claimed that Thoms had driven his car aggressively at him putting him fear of his life nd had challenged him to a fight, as well as calling him an ''a''.

''The incident was quite bizarre,'' Mr Smallman said.

''He was towering above me and swearing. I said he should keep his dog under control and that's when he went ballistic.''

Mr Smallman, who is semi-retired, said he had also seen Thoms holding a fluorescent-coloured catapult on August 18.

Next door neighbour Chris Owen, who lives at No 96, said Thoms repeatedly allowed his West Highland terrier dog to repeatedly foul his garden and even spat at his car.

Married father-of-one Mr Owen told the court how Thoms had stared through his front window into his home as he held a summer barbeque to celebrate the birth of his daughter Caitlin.

''For a normal person it would not have been normal but for Steve it would be something he would do,'' Mr Owen said.

''I found it a little strange that he was looking through the window.''

Gavin Doig, for Durham Police, asked Mr Owen his opinion of Thoms.

He replied: ''He seems to be fine one day and strange the next.''

After several run-ins, including scratching his car with a nail, Mr Owen's wife, Lisa Marie, was alone when Thoms is said to have put dog faeces through their letterbox.

She told the court: ''I saw Mr Thoms come across the drive on to my property. I heard something come through the letterbox, I was standing at the top of the stairs.

''What had come through the door appeared to be dog faeces.''

The court also heard how his employers became sick of his odd behaviour and sacked him in October.

He then went to the home of his boss and threatened his disabled wife, causing her to have a panic attack.