A PENSIONER who fell out with his neighbours over the size of their hedge has been found guilty of waging a campaign of harassment against them.

Alan Godwin, 69, of Queens Crescent, Stubbington, cut back the 7ft hedge bordering his garden because he said it was too high and smelled.

George Speed, prosecuting, told the court how Godwin taunted neighbours Rosemary Jardine, 60, and husband Eric, 65, with his own lyrics to famous songs.

Mr Speed also described how Godwin made stinging remarks about the Jardine's dead son in the shared driveway of their two bungalows.

Fareham magistrates heard how the once good friends became feuding neighbours in September last year after a row about the hedge.

In a police interview Godwin said he had permission from the Jardines to cut the hedge back because he could not stand the smell. But the Jardines denied they gave Godwin permission and Fareham magistrates found him guilty of criminal damage.

Magistrates' chairman Anne Pearson told Godwin: "You did not have permission to butcher the hedge and you were reckless in the manner in which the task was undertaken."

At the end of the two-day trial Godwin was also found guilty of three charges of harassment. The court heard how:

Godwin wrote a letter to Fareham Borough Council some time between March 25 and June 19 in which he complained about a non-existent overgrown hedge in Mr and Mrs Jardine's front garden.

Godwin threatened Mrs Jardine in their shared driveway, causing her to call the police because she was so terrified, on March 22.

Godwin told Mrs Jardine on New Year's Day her son did not have a licence to drive, a remark that left her feeling "upset" and "angry" as she admitted she was still coming to terms with her son's death in a car crash.

Godwin pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was found not guilty of using racially aggravated threatening words and behaviour.

Mr Speed alleged Godwin started singing "If I Were A Black Man" instead of "If I Were Rich Man" when a friend visited the Jardines with two black grandchildren on June 1.

Colin McCarraher, defending, said Godwin denied all the allegations.

Tearful Mrs Jardine described to the court how Godwin had made her family's life a misery and caused her to suffer migraines. After the case she said: "I've gone through a year of hell."

Mr Jardine added: "Justice seems to have been done. I hope his sentence will be severe enough."

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until January 8 for pre-sentence reports. Godwin faces another separate charge of harassment and one charge of assaulting a police officer.

Godwin was granted bail on the condition he does not contact the Jardines.