A man from Warrington has been ordered to pay over £190 in fines and charges after a court found him guilty of harassing a neighbour with abusive comments, including repeatedly calling her 'fat'. The incident is the latest in a series of disputes involving the defendant and residents on his street.
Court Hears Details of Sustained Abuse
Aaron Quinn, aged 33, appeared at Warrington Magistrates' Court where he admitted using insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage relating to an exterior wall light.
Prosecutor Miss Renee Southern outlined the events of March 28 this year. She explained that Quinn had first gone to the home of another neighbour, Michael Taylor, where he banged and kicked on the door demanding he come out. An argument followed, and as Quinn walked away, he pulled an outside light from the wall, breaking it.
Later the same day, Quinn became involved in a separate argument with his neighbour, Sarah Allen, a mother-of-two. "He has been verbally abusive towards her, making her feel stressed and making comments about her weight, calling her fat," Miss Southern told the court. "He was being generally abusive towards her. It resulted in a public order offence, causing her harassment and distress. We would say it was a sustained incident."
Mitigation Cites Grief and Insomnia
In mitigation, Quinn's solicitor, Gary Schooler, explained his client's personal circumstances at the time of the offences. Quinn's mother had died shortly before the incident, an event which Mr Schooler said had 'shaken him and rocked him to the core'.
"He was very close to his mother and relied on her for emotional support," Mr Schooler said. He also told the magistrates that Quinn suffers from chronic insomnia. The solicitor acknowledged there were 'ongoing issues with the neighbours' and that the confrontation with Mr Taylor began when Quinn had gone to ask for help before it descended into an argument and criminal damage.
Restraining Order Issued and Compensation Prioritised
Sentencing Quinn, Justice of the Peace Ian Johnston stated the bench would prioritise compensation for Ms Allen, who had been distressed by the repeated comments. Quinn was subsequently fined £80 and ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge.
More significantly, the magistrates issued a 12-month restraining order banning Quinn from contacting Sarah Allen directly or indirectly. The court heard that Quinn has since moved to a different address, which may reduce the likelihood of further conflict.
This case highlights how neighbourly disputes can escalate into criminal matters, with verbal abuse leading to significant legal consequences including fines, court orders, and a criminal record.
