A VULNERABLE war hero and his wife were forced out of their home after enduring months of harassment from their next door neighbour, a court heard last week.

Second World War fighter pilot Kenneth Trelfer, who is now partially deaf and blind, and his wife Vera, suffered verbal abuse and stone-throwing from two men at their home in High Street, Catterick Village.

Both offenders were bound over to keep the peace by Richmond magistrates court last Thursday.

Gary Steel, 39, who rented the house next door to Mr and Mrs Trelfer, and John Rutherford, 36, of Albert Road, Bedale, both pleaded guilty to harassment charges.

Ian Bradshaw, prosecuting, said: "Mr and Mrs Trelfer actually left the house at one point to get away from it all."

He said that the couple were happy for the two men to be bound over if they were allowed to lead a peaceful life.

The problems with Steel and Rutherford began last August when an extractor pipe from the house Steel rented came into the Trelfer's conservatory.

Mrs Trelfer complained to the police about hearing abusive language and having notes pushed through the pipe.

After the court case, Mrs Trelfer said: "I am just relieved that it is all over, it has been months of hell for both of us.

"I just don't know why they did it in the first place.

"My husband cannot cope and so I am left to deal with the situation myself. I had always thought of myself as quite a tough person, but now I am not so sure."

During the war Mrs Trelfer worked as a nurse and Mr Trelfer enlisted with the RAF, flying 30 missions over Germany.

Last year the couple, who are both in their 80s, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.