Sheffield pest is placed on a curfew after he frightened a neighbour

A pest frightened a neighbour by posting letters to her in the night.
By Jon Cooper
Published 8th Apr 2020, 16:05 BST
Updated 8th Apr 2020, 16:18 BST
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Sheffield Magistrates’ Court - sitting at the Sheffield Crown Court building - heard today, April 8, how Paul Franks, 45, of Blackstock Drive, Sheffield, had been given a restraining order to stay away from the neighbour after he had been convicted of harassing her.

But Robert Coyne, prosecuting, said despite the order the complainant who lives in the same flats received three letters posted by the defendant.

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Franks pleaded guilty to breaching the restraining order in April.

Sheffield Magistrates' Court hearings have been sitting at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, during the coronavirus outbreak.Sheffield Magistrates' Court hearings have been sitting at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, during the coronavirus outbreak.
Sheffield Magistrates' Court hearings have been sitting at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, during the coronavirus outbreak.

The complainant stated she has been left frightened.

Hester Russell, defending, said Franks has health problems and he claims his neighbour had been making noise.

District Judge Grace Leong felt Franks posted the letters at night to distress his neighbour.

Franks was sentenced to a three-month community order with a curfew running between 6pm to 6am. He must also pay a £90 victim surcharge.