A BULLY who assaulted his elderly neighbours has been jailed for eight months.

Sonny Varey, 35, of Elm Road, has also been hit with Middlewich's first Anti-social Behaviour Order (ASBO).

He will serve eight months in prison after being convicted of causing actual bodily harm on March 6, to run concurrently with a one-month term for common assault and seven days for a charge of criminal damage.

The assault was part of a catalogue of complaints about Varey's behaviour presented to Chester Crown Court by Cheshire Constabulary.

The ASBO kicks into affect immediately and will run during his time behind bars.

It blocks him from using abusive and threatening behaviour in public and approaching witnesses anytime in the next three years - and he faces a return trip to jail if he breaches the order.

Insp Mark Watson of Congleton and Vale Royal Police said: 'A very clear picture was being painted for us as we put the ASBO application together and that was that there were lots of incidents which weren't reported to the police that took place involving Mr Varey.

'He acted in an anti-social manner toward his neighbours. He stared into their houses, made abusive comments and threatening gestures.

'In general he made people's lives a misery and in some cases affected their health. But many people feared reprisals so they were reluctant to speak out.'

Varey's anti-social behaviour against his neighbours began in April last year and ranged from foul and abusive language to malicious acts and intimidating behaviour. It began soon after he discovered Congleton Borough Council had asked neighbours to keep and gather evidence for a prosecution against him for breaching planning rules by selling vehicles from his home.

In August Varey was fined £3,500 for breaking those planning rules and his anti-social behaviour died down, leading neighbours to believe the situation had been successfully resolved. But he then assaulted the elderly couple, who are 79 and 81.

He is now prohibited from:

Using or encouraging others to use foul, abusive, insulting, offensive, threatening or intimidating language or gestures or behaviour in a public place.

Threatening or encouraging others to engage in violence or damage against a person or property.

Approaching, threatening, intimidating or communicating directly or indirectly with named witnesses.

Police say his behaviour will be monitored and if anyone sees him breaching any of the orders they should call Cheshire Constabulary on 01606 48000.