Man banned from village for 15 years after cutting down neighbour's shrubs with a chainsaw

A man has been banned from a village for 15 years after he used a chainsaw to cut down his neighbour's shrubs.

Adrian Paul Stairs, 59, has been ordered by a court to stay out of the Northamptonshire village of Blisworth until the year 2037.

Stairs, who now lives 30 miles away in Wellingborough, hacked down several mature shrubs in his neighbour's garden which had been planted close to a disputed boundary line.

Northamptonshire Police said some of the shrubs had been planted more than 20 years ago and were gifts from family members who had since passed away, giving them a strong sentimental value.

The force began to receive reports of anti-social behaviour from Stairs' neighbour at the beginning of 2021.

"It became apparent that this had been going on for some time and that others within the community had also been affected," Northamptonshire Police said.

As well as cutting down the shrubs with a chainsaw, Stairs had threatened his neighbours with a brick during a dispute in the garden, although he did not throw it.

Stairs was later charged with criminal damage and assault and the case went to Northampton Magistrates’ Court on 28 November.

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Northamptonshire Police said: "The victims read out their own victim impact statements in court which covered the years of anxiety, fear and despair they and their son had suffered due to Stairs’ persistent behaviour.

"They also explained in their statements that this had been going on for several years and that others, including pensioners in their 80s, had been badly affected by him."

Stairs was given a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and given a restraining order preventing him from entering Blisworth for 15 years and from contacting the victims in any way.

Stairs absconded from court before sentencing and was further arrested and appeared again on 2 December.

He was given an extra two weeks' imprisonment to run concurrently, which was again suspended, along with an additional 60-day rehabilitation order for absconding from court.

Sergeant Wyn Hughes, from Northamptonshire Police, said: “When the victims in this case were informed of the result and the restraining order, it was like a weight was lifted off their shoulders.

"This is something they have struggled with for so long and therefore I am so pleased for them.

“However, there are no real winners in this type of case as the impact upon the victims has been significant and prolonged.

“I hope this case shows our ability to use both criminal and anti-social behaviour legislation in a positive way to protect our residents and keep our communities safer.”