Man handed Asbo for plaguing neighbours is banned from own home

Barrie Barker, 55, was convicted of breaching an Asbo for harassing former magistrate Barry Roddis.

Barker is facing jail when he is sentenced next month by Barnsley magistrates and an unusual bail condition is that he has been ordered not to go within half-a-mile of his own home.

Now he claims his human rights have been infringed.

He was given a five-month suspended jail sentence three years ago after taunting Mr Roddis by displaying number plates made up to read offensive messages on vehicles outside his neighbour’s home.

Barker was put before court again for making foul and abusive comments, playing loud music and banging noisily at all hours.

He was convicted of breaching an Asbo imposed four-and-a-half years ago to prevent him harassing Mr Roddis and his wife Phyllis.

Mr Roddis, 69, of Lundwood, Barnsley, said since Barker’s campaign began five years ago he had suffered a nervous breakdown, seen his angina worsen and had to step down as a JP through the stress.

He said: “We hope this settles the matter. If it takes a custodial sentence to do that so be it. I have no qualms.

“It would not bother me one iota if he went down but we are not holding our breath. It is a shame it had to come to this.”

Mrs Roddis, 68, said: “We feel a load has been lifted from our shoulders because we have had it for five years.”

The breaches of the Asbo occurred in May, 2008. Barker admitted one offence and was found guilty of another.

But Barker, who is now living at his son’s house a few miles away, claimed the Asbo and the strict bail conditions breached his human rights. He said: “I could understand if I was smashing his windows or threatening him.”

He said the bail conditions were “ridiculous”. He added: “It is horrendous. In a way it is worse than being in prison.”