CONTROVERSIAL Salisbury preacher John Holme appeared in court this week, just days after launching his election campaign.

Salisbury Magistrates Court heard how the 46-year-old pastor, of Ayrshire Close, Fugglestone Red, was arrested on August 1 last year, under section five of the Public Order Act, for displaying a sign which was threatening, abusive or insulting and likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Ironically, Holme's campaign bus chugged past the Market Square on Tuesday, moments before he went into court.

The preacher was caught driving around the city on August 1 in a red Vauxhall Cavalier towing a trailer with a ten-ft tall 'A' board style hoarding displaying the message, "God says that if you reject him you may become a homosexual," along with a reference to Romans.

Officers first spotted Holme, who has pleaded not guilty to the charge, driving along Mill Road.

He was later stopped by Sgt Paul Franklin in New Road at about 1.20pm and given a warning.

Sgt Franklin told the court that passers-by had "a disgusted look" on their faces as they caught sight of the sign.

And he warned Holme to go home, concerned that the message could cause, alarm, harassment or distress to members of Salisbury's gay community.

The married father-of-two ignored the warning and continued driving around with the billboard, but was spotted 20 minutes later by PC Andy Fell, who then arrested him in Churchfields Road.

Holme, who used to earn £100,000 a year as a software sales manager, had also rigged up a public address system onboard the trailer and was preaching over the loud speaker as he drove around the city with his friend.

Giving evidence, Holme's neighbour, Sarah Carthy, said the defendant's trailer with billboard was often parked outside his house.

She e-mailed Holme to express her concern about the message written on his makeshift sign, but was unhappy with the response she got and contacted the police.

"I was deeply offended by it (the sign) and felt it caused harassment to certain people," she said.

"I accept people have alternative viewpoints but it victimises homosexual members of society. There is a point at which people can feel distressed by other people's opinions."

Holme, who claims not to be a racist, was advised by the Community Safety Partnership last year to tone down the content of his street preaching following complaints.

It was also revealed the pastor had received hate mail after displaying messages on his home-made hoarding.

Proceeding.