By staff reporter

Last updated 12:10, Tuesday, 02 December 2008

A man who targeted a pair of women he believed were gossiping about him has pleaded guilty to harassment.

Michael Douglas, of The Field, Etterby, Carlisle, pleaded guilty to two counts under section two of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how, using behaviour described by his own defence counsel, Philip Boyd, as “juvenile, boorish and unnecessary”, the 45-year-old had targeted the two women over three months at the beginning of the year.

Prosecuting, Hilary Manley said: “It appears that the bad feeling began because the defendant felt that the two women were gossiping about him within a small community.”

She went on to outline numerous occasions between January and the end of March when Douglas had driven slowly past the houses of the two women and made what appeared to be offensive gestures.

Mr Boyd said: “This has been an intolerable meanness of spirit between people on both sides. It is a great pity that it was not nipped in the bud at the beginning.

“He accepts that his behaviour was juvenile, boorish and unnecessary.

“He accepts that his behaviour was wrong and he would like to express regret to his victims.”

Douglas entered his guilty plea, which was accepted by the Crown, on the basis that there were no threats of violence made.

He pleaded not guilty to a third charge of putting a person in fear of violence.

Judge Charles Mahon said on sentencing: “The reason why you started this campaign defeats me, it really has no logic about it.”

Douglas was fined £200 and was given a 12-month restraining order preventing him from having contact with them or their families.

He was also ordered to stay away from their homes and places of work.