A DUDLESTON man has again been given a community order for anti-social behaviour, as well as committing a hate crime, at Telford Magistrates Court.

Stephen Wells, of Dudleston Hall Barns, near Ellesmere, appeared in court on Tuesday, November 8 to admit two breaches of a previous criminal behaviour order, made by the same court on July 5 this year.

It was heard that he had, without reasonable excuse, and when prohibited from doing so, used foul, abusive or offensive language, which was loud and audible to his neighbours.

He had been heard shouting obscenities through the windows of his property on August 20, and three days before, on August 17, he was heard shouting homophobic insults at a neighbour whose same-sex partner was visiting.

Wells also used swear words at them, while sticking up his middle finger, and the court was told that the neighbour did not feel safe in their property and moved away for a short time.

Wells admitted the offence, and magistrates warned him that had the offences taken place since he was given a suspended sentence in September for similar behaviour, he would have been sent to jail.

They said: "It's unfortunate to see you here in court again and if they had been committed after your September appearance then you know where you’d be going.

"We’re lifting it to nine months because of the hate crime element."

Wells, as he had in previous hearing in September, told the court through his defence that he had post-traumatic stress disorder from his time as a police officer in Belfast and London.

But probation told the court he was responding well to working with them, and Magistrates urged to continue to temper his alcohol use.

The court imposed a nine-month community order with 10 extra rehabilitation days and will begin after his current community order ends.

He will have to pay £185 in costs and a victim surcharge of £114.