A WORCESTER man has been banned from visiting his ex-wife in the early hours of the morning after her neighbours complained he was harassing them.

One family has already been forced to leave their home after complaining about Michael Mountford’s behaviour.

At Worcester Magistrates Court a restraining order was imposed on Mountford to protect the Gormley family, who have since moved into the house.

Magistrates were told Mountford’s ex-wife and son-in-law live in two of six houses at Highfields, Knightwick, near Worcester.

The 68-year-old regularly travelled from his home in Sebright Avenue, Redhill, Worcester, and parked outside her home.

But his visits upset her neighbours – the Poutneys – who secured a restraining order on Mountford in February 2009.

His actions forced them to sell to the Gormley family and they warned them about his behaviour. Now, the Gormleys have secured a restraining order after filming Mountford outside their home between May 19 and 24, 2009.

Mountford, who would turn up as early as 3am, became a worry to the family. They reported him to the police and housing association.

Both were unable to act as they had no actual evidence of harassment, so the Gormleys bought a second-hand camera to film Mountford outside their home.

As soon as Mountford realised he was being filmed, he too bought a camera and he and a friend began filming the Gormleys, making abusive gestures.

In mitigation, Andy Childs, said he felt the level of hysteria about the matter had been blown out of proportion.

He said: “My client is not as demonic as his neighbours have made him out to be.”

The magistrates were concerned about the details of the restraining order, which forbids Mountford from being in Highfields between 10pm and 8am.

Michael Brazier, the chairman, said: “There is a history to this. Mr Mountford does not think he has done anything wrong. The bench is worried he may switch from one time of day to another.”

As well as the restraining order, which is in place until January 2012, Mountford was found guilty of harassment without violence, given a community order to do 80 hours un-paid work, ordered to pay costs of £520 and £100 compensation to the Gormleys.

Your Worcester News was the only member of the media in court.