10 May 2023 , 08:46
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A man called the police on his neighbour from hell because he wouldn’t stop farting and burping.
Edward Riley was reported to police by his neighbour Simon Joynson after months of disruptive behaviour.
Riley would fart and burp so loudly and persistently it could be heard through their adjoining wall.
The flatulent father was branded a “neighbour from hell” at the semi-detached house in Cheadle, near Stockport.
His behaviour didn’t stop there either, and landscape gardener Riley also blocked doors and shone torches in his neighbour’s face whenever they came face-to-face.
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Riley went on to threaten Mr Joynson on several occasions, even saying he would burn his house down and “put your f****** head through the floor".
Riley was sentenced to 24-weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months, after he admitted to harassing his neighbour (Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)
Riley's burping and farting could be heard through the adjoining wall (Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)In his statement, Mr Joynson said, "I live in constant fear that he will burn the house down, I know what he's capable of. He's only 6 feet away from me at all times. He has pushed me to the edge, and no one has the right to harass me like this. He's banging, shouting and raving all the time."
He added, "Eddie is always getting away with his bad behaviour and he does whatever he says he will do in his words. I can't keep living like this. It's all too much and my mental health is in the bin."
At Stockport Magistrates Court, Riley was sentenced to 24-weeks jail suspended for 12 months after he admitted harassment.
He must also complete 15 rehabilitation activity days and pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £128.
Hannah Nicholls, prosecuting, said, "The parties became neighbours when the defendant moved in around June 2021 and there were problems from the outset.
“The period that this charge covers is from December 1, 2021 to April 20, 2022; however, the complainant has told me of disruptive behaviour that predated this.
"The defendant was out of the building for long periods of time, but whenever he was in he would continually blast loud music and make a general disturbance, despite being told not to.
“On one instance, when the complainant told him to turn it down from out of the window, the defendant took a high-powered torch and purposefully shone it in his face.
"On another instance, he purposefully blocked the door into the communal area of the building they were living in.
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“When the complainant asked him to move the blocking item, he got aggressive and got his phone out and started to take pictures of him.
"When the complainant told him to stop taking pictures, the defendant said, come at me then. The complainant then went into his kitchen with his other neighbours and broke down in tears."
"On December 22, when the complainant came home from work, the pair got in another argument as he was taking some cardboard to the communal bins.
"This argument was the result of the defendant placing an old mattress near the bins, which the complainant said could not be placed there for safety reasons issued by the council. In response, the defendant said I'll drop something on your head and burn your house down.
"He went back inside and began to cough loudly. The complainant could also hear him burping and farting loudly through the walls."
"The defendant then told the complainant to get away from my f****** house, or I'll put your head through the f*****g floor. This argument only ended after the neighbours intervened.
"On April 19, the complaint was again returning from work when he saw that a communal door they both used had a sign on it that said it had been alarmed.
"He tried to open it and then went round to use the side door to get into the building. When he was inside, he heard something fall and set the alarms off.
"This caused the defendant to accuse the complainant of wanting to enter his property without him knowing. The defendant then went back into his property and made loud banging and shouting noises."
The court heard Mr Joynson has since moved to another property.
Riley has 19 previous offences on his record, the majority of which involve breaches of restraining orders against his ex partner, who he fathered a child with.
In mitigation, Riley's lawyer Helen White said, "There are always two sides to every story. The complainant has certainly done some of the provocation, but the defendant accepts that he simply went too far. His behaviour crossed the line.
"The defendant has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and PTSD and was not on medication at the time of the incidents. He is now taking medication and is making improvements with his mental health.
"Thanks to his work with probation, he has now got regular access to his son, and this has really helped him to change his behaviour. There has not been any other interference with the complainant since the last incident and presents a low risk of harm.
In sentencing, JP Walter Barrett told Riley: "You really are the proverbial neighbour from hell. I know you have had some trouble with your mental health, but you have a terrible record. It's horrendous. The reason we are not sending you to jail is because you have been taking your medication and have started to see your child again."