A three-decade long dispute over land boundaries has resulted in an indefinite restraining order against "one of the worst examples of a neighbour dispute that we have come across". Kenneth Barker, 79, was arrested and taken into custody earlier this year after subjecting his Callington neighbours to repeated harassment over a - later disproved - boundary dispute.

Around 30 years ago, Barker believed that land boundaries had been moved by another party. When the victims later moved into their home, Barker became verbally and physically abusive with them, including swearing, throwing stones and acting in a threatening manner, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

The abusive incidents were first reported to police officers in 2023 and Barker was issued a Community Protection Warning - aimed at preventing antisocial behaviour which interrupts the community's quality of life - last June. His behaviour continued, however.

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Barker was captured on CCTV blocking the victim's driveway with his car and later claimed the battery was flat when police officers asked him to move it. He was reminded of the Warning notice that was in place. Later, he Barker knocked down boundary fences and threw multiple buckets of water over a boundary hedge onto the victims.

Devon and Cornwall Police said officers spoke to him numerous times about his behaviour before he was eventually arrested. Despite being under investigation, he kept up the harassment and he was remanded into custody for several weeks before sentencing.

He pleaded guilty to multiple offences of common assault, harassment and criminal damage and was sentenced by the Magistrate who told the court it that was ‘one of the worst examples of a neighbour dispute that we have come across’.

Barker, appeared at Bodmin Magistrates’ Court on July 22 where, in addition to the indefinite restraining order, he was also sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay over £1000 in compensation and fees.

Following sentence, PC Jess Floyd from the Callington Police Neighbourhood Team said: “The persistent and continued behaviour by Mr Barker has impacted the victim’s quality of life over a period of time, as well as others in the area, who should all be able to go about their business in peace.

“The only thing the victims did was move into their home, they were not involved in the initial dispute raised in relation to land, which has since been disproved.

“We welcome the sentence that the court imposed and thank all those who were involved and impacted by the case for their support of the police investigation.”