A 35-year-old man dubbed the ‘neighbour from hell,’ has been sentenced to 18 weeks in prison after terrorizing elderly residents in a quiet cul-de-sac in Longton, Lancashire. Liam Bain wore a Spiderman mask while shouting obscenities, peering through windows, and even using a hosepipe to drench a woman in her 70s.
Bain’s reign of terror included flexing his muscles in front of his window, shadowboxing topless in the street, and harassing pensioners through their Ring doorbells, knowing they would receive phone alerts while out of their homes. One elderly man was so terrified he hid behind a hedge when Bain drove his van alongside him in a threatening manner.
In court, it was revealed that Bain’s night-time harassment included playing loud music, shining lasers into homes, and taunting residents with statements like, “I’ll still be here when you’re all dead.” He also enlisted his partner and children to contribute to the chaos, encouraging them to kick balls into neighbours’ gardens and calling one man a “nonce” and a “pervert.
Many residents considered selling their homes due to Bain’s behaviour but felt trapped. One woman said her grandson refused to visit her house, and another couple moved to a smaller spare room to escape the harassment.
Recorder Kevin Slack, who presided over the case at Preston Crown Court, described Bain’s behaviour as “the neighbour from hell,” causing “untold misery” to his victims. He added, “You have caused the residents of these two streets untold misery without there being any cause for you to behave the way you have.”
Bain, who pleaded guilty to five counts of harassment, was also banned from entering the street where his partner lives or contacting any of his five victims for five years.
The judge noted that Bain’s behaviour went beyond childish antics, causing significant fear and distress among the residents. It is a common feature that they say they were afraid of leaving their homes to go and visit their neighbours, for fear of what you may do to them,” he said.
As Bain was led away to the cells, he waved at his partner, who was present in the public gallery.
This sentencing brings some relief to the elderly residents of Higher Furlong and Tranmoor streets, who can now look forward to living in peace without the constant fear and harassment from Bain.
