'The last three years have been hell' – Castletown neighbours' feud ends in fight
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Wick Sheriff Court heard how a feud between two neighbours ended up with one of them landing in the dock.
Graham Taylor (47) admitted a charge of disorderly behaviour by engaging in a fight with Matthew Frere and committing a breach of the peace.
Outlining the background to the incident, David Barclay said that the pair had been at odds since Mr Frere moved next door to Taylor, in Mackay Street, Castletown, in January 2020.
The fiscal said that since then, they had regularly been reporting each other to the police with various complaints.
The two men met by chance at the public toilets in Harbour Road, Castletown, on March 2, raising the possibility that they might try to clear the air over their differences.
Mr Barclay, however, said that given the "toxic" relationship between them, burying the hatchet was never going to be successful and a fight broke out, during which both men sustained cuts and bruises.
The matter was reported to the police and Taylor was charged.
He told officers: "The last three years have been hell since Frere moved into the street."
Sheriff Mark Lindsay QC told Taylor: "I recognise that there is a high degree of provocation. Perhaps you are more sinned against than sinning."
The sheriff deferred sentence on Taylor for six months to allow him to demonstrate he can behave.
However, it seems that the neighbours' feud is due to end.
Taylor revealed from the dock that he had been allocated a new house and would be moving away from Mackay Street.
