A MAN in his 50s has been handed an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) after a dispute with his neighbours spiralled out of control.

Trevor Davidson is now banned from rifling through neighbours' bins, spitting at people, deliberately blocking the road, filming or photographing neighbours, intimidating residents or going within 2ft of windows of houses near his home at The Green, Norton, near Stockton.

Teesside Magistrates' Court heard the 53-year-old, of The Green, Norton, Teesside, waged a campaign of harassment against neighbours and their visitors - as well as people going to the nearby Red House School.

Roisin McKenzie, representing Stockton Borough Council, said Davidson's behaviour dated back to 1999.

She said: "Asbos are usually used for youths and young adults but the actions of Mr Davidson should not be treated any differently. He has a long history of this sort of behaviour. The community has suffered from these actions for a long time."

She said he had played loud music, climbed ladders and looked through people's windows, used abusive language, intimidated parents and teachers at the school and spread malicious rumours about neighbours causing embarrassment.

Davidson's solicitor, Brett Wildridge, contested the application for an interim order. He said: "I would describe it as a neighbourhood dispute - no more, no less."

Mr Wildridge also told the court that his client had received about 50 letters of support from neighbours.

However, magistrates agreed to the interim order, which runs until November, when there will be a five-day hearing for a full Asbo application.

Mr Wildridge said his client intended to appeal against the decision.