A neighbour faces being jailed after making false complaints against a dad who was suspended from his job as a result.

Tony Allan Oake, 39, of Northdown Road, Newhaven, admitted harassing binman Terry Weston by making malicious complaints about him to the council and to the RSPCA.

Oake first complained to Lewes District Council that Mr Weston had “left his refuse collection van and acted in an untoward manner,” Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard.

He then got someone staying with him to make another complaint, also investigated by the authority and found to be untrue, the court heard.

Rio Pahlavanpour, prosecuting, said: “As a result of the report made to the authority the complainant [Mr Weston], who was working as an agent for the council, had their work suspended.

“He was not a direct employee [so] was not given any suspension pay. Effectively they – a family of four – went without income for six weeks.”

Oake also twice reported Mr Weston to the RSPCA, first falsely claiming that his cat had been thrown out of the window and then falsely that it had matted fur.

RSPCA officers went round to the house to inspect the animal both times but found it in good health.

In October Oake pleaded guilty to one count of harassment, covering the four malicious complaints – all made between September and November last year.

He was also accused of making a malicious complaint to the NSPCC about Mr Weston but this was dropped after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Jeff Schone, defending, asked the judge to give his client a community order.

Oake’s sentencing was adjourned for reports, with District Judge Gary Lucie saying a jail sentence was still an option.