AN embittered businessman who launched a terrifying vendetta on a rival who bought a fish farm he wanted for himself has been ordered to keep away from his victims indefinitely.

Robert Walker, 50, of Esh Winning, County Durham, threw leaflets from a moving car stating that children using the Oakbank Fisheries in Longtown, Cumbria, were at risk from paedophiles employed at the complex.

He contaminated a fish-filled pond with oil and even sent proprietor Sidney Boulter's 12-year-old son rat poison through the post.

The year-long campaign left the terrified owners fearing the site would be bombed, and when police raided Walker's County Durham farm, a hoard of explosives was found.

Walker, an Oxford graduate who studied trade-unionism at Ruskin College, had said the campaign was nothing to do with him but was found guilty by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court.

He was convicted of two charges of harassment and one of having an explosive substance. He was jailed for five-and-a-half years last month.

The court heard how Walker had made a £190,000 bid for the fish farm when owner Michael Powell died suddenly in 1998.

Having made the offer, Walker sought to drive down the price by claiming the land was riddled with defects.

After months of haggling, the vendors pulled out of the deal and refused to negotiate further.

By April 5, 2000, Sid and Margaret Boulter had offered £150,000 for the business, which was accepted and contracts were exchanged, making them the new owners.

Judge Tim Hewitt said he was satisfied that the Boulters were "terrified and traumatised" by the campaign.

And he ordered Walker to be brought from his cell and back into court yesterday to be made the subject of a restraining order.

Under the order, he must not contact the Boulters or their children and must not enter within one mile of Oakbank.