HAPPIER TIMES: Robert and Lorraine McGowan, pictured two years agoA FAMILY have spoken of their two years of putting up with a Neighbours from Hell situation after a court imposed a £1,000 binding over order on Adrian Talbot.

Talbot, who gave a Pewsey address, appeared before magistrates in Devizes on Tuesday.

He was originally charged with causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress against Robert McGowan, who lives in Hungerford Road, East Grafton.

Talbot's family lives opposite the home of Mr McGowan, his wife Lorraine, son Lorne and daughter Molly.

If the harassment charge had proceeded, the court would have heard an allegation that Talbot made profane comments about Mr McGowan's Irish background.

The hearing related to an incident in East Grafton on April 20 last year when Talbot, whose address was given in court as North Street, Pewsey, was alleged to have threatened to hit Mr McGowan.

Rob Welling, prosecuting, said: "Talbot said to Mr McGowan: 'If you carry on I will f ing smack you in the mouth'."

Mr Welling went on: "I have spoken to the McGowan family and what they want is a device from the court that will stop what has been and to some extent is a feud between the Talbot family, principally not just Adrian but also his parents, against the McGowans.

"They want a line drawn under it and they want no further incidents."

Andrew Eddy, defending, said: "Mr Talbot has denied any racial harassment throughout these proceedings and he maintains his position.

"He has made certain admissions in interview and he accepts those words were used.

"He says this was a particularly difficult time. The Talbots have had a particularly difficult time as well.

"They have had comments made to them. On this particular occasion Mr Talbot was at the address cleaning his motorbike.

"Certain comments and gestures were made by Mr McGowan towards him and he reacted in a way he accepts. Mr Talbot wants the matter put behind him as does his family."

Mr Welling offered no evidence on the racially aggravated public order offence and magistrates dismissed the charge. Talbot agreed to be bound over in the sum of £1,000 to keep the peace for 12 months towards Lorraine McGowan, Robert McGowan, Lorne Green and Stephen Black.

After the hearing Mrs McGowan said she was glad that her family's stand against bullying had been vindicated and supported by the court's decision.

Mr McGowan, who suffers with Crone's disease, was too distressed to comment but his wife said they were happy with the bind-over on Talbot.

She said: "While he has not been convicted on the original charge the fact he was bound over in such a large sum of money shows how serious the magistrates regarded it.

"We have proved that bullies do not win if you stand up to them."

Mrs McGowan said her family had moved in opposite the Talbots about three years ago. Asked if their experience had been like the TV series Neighbours from Hell, Mrs McGowan said: "Yes it has...at one stage we thought about going on the telly."

She praised Marlborough-based Sgt Julian Riches, Wiltshire Victim Support, the Witness Protection team and their landlords, Sarsen Housing, for their support.