Falkirk man to pay £1000 compensation to former neighbour

A man who pestered his former neighbour has been ordered to pay her £1000 in compensation.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Gerard Laughland (34), 44 Firs Street, Falkirk, admitted that on repeated occasions between May 1, 2015 and November 23, 2018 at an address in Windsor Road, Falkirk he behaved in a threatening manner by repeatedly knocking on the doors and windows, throwing small objects at the windows and asking the occupier for alcohol and repeatedly telephoning her.

He also admitted on November 24 and 25, 2018 he behaved in a threatening manner by entering the property uninvited whilst the householder was out, repeatedly refusing to leave when asked, asking her for alcohol and repeatedly knocking on the doors and windows.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Falkirk Sheriff Court heard last Thursday that Laughland and the complainer had been neighbours for around six years.

Falkirk Sheriff CourtFalkirk Sheriff Court
Falkirk Sheriff Court

The procurator fiscal depute said: “It appears the accused seems to have thought he and the complainer were closer friends than she considered they were.

“Over the period libelled the accused came to her door she says almost every second or third weekend when he was intoxicated.

“He was tapping the back and front doors and threw stones at the window.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There were a few occasions when he came the following day to apologise for his behaviour. She told him each time she didn’t want him coming to the door and his behaviour was unacceptable, however he continued to do it.”

The court heard on November 24, 2018 the complainer had a friend’s 12-year-old daughter staying with her.

They had left the house at 8pm and returned at around 9pm.

They discovered Laughland in the kitchen, giving both a fright.

He asked if she had any drink and when she asked him to leave he refused. He eventually left and was heard tapping at the windows before returning to his own address.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Laughland’s solicitor said his client had moved away and that the incidents happened at a time when his relationship with his wife had broken down.

He said he had become friendly with his neighbour and that was why he was looking for alcohol.

Sheriff Livingston said: “I accept you seem to have moved on in all sorts of ways but at the same time your behaviour caused a great deal of anguish.

“I’m to impose a compensation order of £500 in respect of each charge, so that’s £1000 in total.”