Resident made couple's life a 'living hell'

A foul-mouthed resident made a couple's life hell and made them feel like prisoners in their own home after he repeatedly abused them.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.Chesterfield magistrates' court.
Chesterfield magistrates' court.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court recently heard how Charles Streather, 59, of Hartington Road, Chesterfield, began harassing and abusing the couple after one of them had to inform Streather his allotment allocation had been withdrawn.

Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop said: “The harassment had been ongoing between May, 2014, and January, 2016. Mr Streather had been handed a letter informing him his allotment allocation was to be withdrawn and he took it personally.”

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The couple described Streather shouting when he was under the influence of alcohol and spitting into their garden and swearing, according to Mrs Allsop, and they described their lives as a “living hell”.

Mrs Allsop added the couple became so concerned that they installed £1,300 of CCTV equipment and one of them had to make special arrangements to work at home to support the other. The couple stated they had become “prisoners in their own home” and they could not enjoy going into their garden for fear of being subjected to abuse. One of the complainants also revealed that he had been falsely accused by Streather of sleeping with the defendant’s ex-partner.

Streather pleaded guilty to harassing the couple and admitted committing the offence while he was subject to a conditional discharge for using threatening behaviour.

Defence solicitor David Gittins revealed Streather has on-going mental health issues.

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Streather was sentenced to a nine week custodial sentence suspended for 18 months with rehabilitation. The court also imposed a restraining order to last until April 21, 2021. He must also pay £500 compensation, an £80 victim surcharge and £100 costs.