THE sentencing of a Carlisle man who admits harassing his next door neighbours has been postponed until next month.
Matthew Adam Neale, 43, appeared at the city’s crown court today (WED) having committed three offences in May.
Neale, of St Ann’s Road, admits harassment following incidents during that month in which his neighbours were on the receiving end of criminal conduct. He has also pleaded guilty to resisting a police officer on May 12, when he was arrested, and causing damage to a custody cell mattress.
By committing those three offences, Neale also flouted a suspended prison sentence he received at the crown court in February. He was punished on that occasion for making a chilling bomb threat after dialling 999.
This had occurred as Neale pleaded for help with mental health problems when he called police, before making a violent vow centring on Cumbria Partnership Trust’s former city centre base. “I am about to throw a Molotov cocktail through the front door of the Portland Square offices,” he had warned during a foul-mouthed two minute tirade in December.
During today’s short court hearing, his lawyer, Marion Weir, asked for the sentencing to be adjourned pending a psychological assessment and a probation service update.
Noting Neale’s difficulties, arising from a brain injury, Judge Nicholas Barker directed that punishment should be temporarily put off. Neale is now due to be sentenced on July 22, and was remanded in custody in the meantime.
