A RETIRED railways worker from Ellesmere Port threatened to kill an 86-year-old neighbour who challenged him about a bonfire in his back garden.

Bernard Teece, 60, had been living next to Harvey Tunna on Wilmslow Drive, Great Sutton, for almost 60 years before he snapped on July 12 this year.

He pleaded guilty to using threatening words and behaviour and was handed a 12-month community order at Chester Magistrates Court on Thursday (October 25).

Teece was also made the subject of a restraining order banning him from approaching or contacting his elderly neighbour for six months.

Rob Youds, prosecuting, said Mr Tunna had seen the defendant pruning tree branches and making a fire in his back garden on the day of the incident but left him to it.

However, an hour later he heard Teece shouting and looked out of his window to see what was going on.

“The defendant then started to shout: ‘I can see you up there you old f***ing b*stard!’,” Mr Youds said.

Mr Tunna asked his neighbour why he was lighting a fire but was met with a barrage of abuse.

“He said: ‘Just f*** off and drop dead you old b*stard. I will f***ing kill you’,” Mr Youds told the court. “Mr Tunna felt threatened and genuinely believed Mr Teece would use violence against him. His fists were clenched and he was red in the face.”

The defendant then started banging the fence with a pole while continually shouting ‘drop dead you old b*stard!’. Police were called and Teece was arrested.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Tunna said he had been suffering with anxiety and sleepless nights.

He wrote: “The incident which occurred has left me completely on edge. I’m not sure what he’s capable of. I’m fearful of leaving my house and feel like I’m constantly treading on eggshells. Ever since I’ve known him he’s always been hostile.”

Scott McCrimmon, defending, said Teece had worked in the railways industry for many years but developed mental health difficulties and was diagnosed with psychosis several years ago.

He has trouble with social situations and was actually shouting at himself in the garden when Mr Tunna heard him.

“He accepts his behaviour was unacceptable and accepts the language used was not acceptable in the circumstances,” Mr McCrimmon said.

“These people have lived next door to each other for almost 60 years, since Mr Teece was a small child, and there doesn’t appear to have been any major problems. So this was an isolated incident.”

The solicitor added: “If there’s any good to come out of this then it’s that Mr Teece is now receiving the support he needed in the community.”

As part of his community order, Teece was fined £15 and ordered to undertake a rehabilitation activity requirement. He must also pay £100 in costs, as he pleaded guilty on the day of his trial, as well as a victim surcharge of £85.