A man who threatened to kill his elderly neighbour has been given a community order.

Thomas De Farrier, of Heron Close, St Leonards, was reported to police for abusing and harassing an elderly neighbour.

He had also been served with two Noise Abatement Notices by the local authority.

The 47-year-old appeared at Hastings Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, January 29 and pleaded guilty to two offences of making threats to kill and one of breaching bail conditions.

He was sentenced to a nine-month community order, and was ordered to pay £65 court costs and a standard £69 victim surcharge.

PC Les Golding, anti-social behaviour officer for police at Hastings, said: "This case came to a head when De Ferrier repeatedly told one of our PCSOs that he would kill the neighbour. He took no steps to put his threat into action, but his behaviour and his statements were the culmination of an on-going issue which was seriously affecting the neighbour's well-being and we had to take action.

"We have worked closely with the local authority on this issue and we hope that the court's decision will help ensure that the neighbour can be reassured of her safety and peace of mind."