‘Neighbour with 140 convictions has harassed us for greater than a 12 months’

[ad_1] Georgina Hayes and

Chris Clements , Scotland social affairs correspondent

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/6ad9/live/99bfa460-db9c-11f0-892d-f35902388264.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/6ad9/live/99bfa460-db9c-11f0-892d-f35902388264.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/6ad9/live/99bfa460-db9c-11f0-892d-f35902388264.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/6ad9/live/99bfa460-db9c-11f0-892d-f35902388264.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/6ad9/live/99bfa460-db9c-11f0-892d-f35902388264.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/6ad9/live/99bfa460-db9c-11f0-892d-f35902388264.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/6ad9/live/99bfa460-db9c-11f0-892d-f35902388264.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/6ad9/live/99bfa460-db9c-11f0-892d-f35902388264.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="BBC An image of two people sitting on a sofa, with Christmas decorations in the background. On the left is a bald man wearing glasses and a tracksuit jacket; his right leg is a prosthetic decorated with Saltire flags and a crutch leans against the couch next to him. On the right, a woman leaning against him, wearing a patterned shirt, with her hair in a bun. " class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> BBC Chris and Amy Masterson declare they've been harassed by neighbour Peter Ferguson for greater than a 12 months

A weak household say they worry for his or her security after going through a marketing campaign of harassment from a violent neighbour with greater than 140 legal convictions.

Since final 12 months, Chris and Amy Masterson's neighbour Peter Ferguson has been convicted 10 instances over abusive or delinquent behaviour however he stays in his council property, regardless of their pleas to have him evicted.

Chris, 46, informed the BBC: "It is identical to a ticking time bomb. We do not know when he'll kick off subsequent."

Ferguson's landlord - South Lanarkshire Council - stated it had been actively pursuing authorized motion and was at the moment ready for eviction proceedings to be heard in court docket.

The Mastersons purchased their residence within the rural village of Forth in 2016 and stay there with their 12-year-old daughter and 24-year-old son.

Ferguson, who has earlier convictions for assault and theft, burglary and weapons offences, moved throughout the road within the small cul-de-sac 4 years in the past.

It wasn't till 2024 that relations soured between him and the couple, resulting in a marketing campaign of harassment which resulted in Ferguson being issued with an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) in addition to a non-harassment order.

Standing within the small hallway of their residence, the Mastertons described how they'd barricade the entrance door every night time for his or her security.

Chris makes use of a strolling stick after a stroke left him with restricted motion on his left aspect and demonstrated how blocking the door takes some effort.

"The entrance door would have ladders, a suitcase, a washing pole factor, and the letterbox taped up, simply in case anyone might put one thing by way of it," his spouse Amy, 42, stated.

"Chris's different strolling stick can be positioned throughout that."

A tumble dryer was used to dam the again door.

They are saying that, till lately, they'd do that each night time.

Amy provides: "It is not likely good fireplace regulation, however it was the one approach we might really feel secure."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/2f73/live/8d602580-db3a-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/2f73/live/8d602580-db3a-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2f73/live/8d602580-db3a-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/2f73/live/8d602580-db3a-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/2f73/live/8d602580-db3a-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/2f73/live/8d602580-db3a-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/2f73/live/8d602580-db3a-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2f73/live/8d602580-db3a-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Supplied Night-vision doorbell footage showing a middle-aged blonde or white-haired man, with a cigarette in his mouth and wearing a tracksuit jacket, reaching towards camera." class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Equipped Peter Ferguson (captured on a doorbell cam) has been convicted of delinquent and abusive behaviour in direction of his neighbours

For the reason that abuse began final summer time, it has escalated to police involvement.

Regardless of quite a few legal convictions for his conduct since, Ferguson stays a tenant in his council residence.

"He is a bully," stated Chris.

"And I get annoyed as a result of I really feel like I am unable to stick up for my household. It is no strategy to stay."

'Somebody will get harm'

Earlier than he moved to the road, 47-year-old Ferguson had been an everyday within the legal justice system, with convictions stretching again to the Nineteen Nineties.

His file consists of sentences for assault and theft, quite a few automobile thefts and break-ins, medicine offences and driving bans.

Throughout his legal profession, courts have imposed jail sentences and durations in youth detention services reaching a complete of 25 years.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/228c/live/83e307a0-db3c-11f0-8b80-79c57719005f.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/228c/live/83e307a0-db3c-11f0-8b80-79c57719005f.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/228c/live/83e307a0-db3c-11f0-8b80-79c57719005f.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/228c/live/83e307a0-db3c-11f0-8b80-79c57719005f.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/228c/live/83e307a0-db3c-11f0-8b80-79c57719005f.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/228c/live/83e307a0-db3c-11f0-8b80-79c57719005f.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/228c/live/83e307a0-db3c-11f0-8b80-79c57719005f.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/228c/live/83e307a0-db3c-11f0-8b80-79c57719005f.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Masterson family Three large suitcase are pushed against a PVC and glass door, with a step ladder in front of them. On the door, a sticker warning of CCTV is visible." class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Masterson household The Mastersons declare they used suitcases, ladders and kitchen home equipment to barricade their door

The feud with the Mastertons started final 12 months when Amy says Ferguson began verbally abusing her unprovoked on the road.

"He was calling me all kinds of names," she stated.

"However I had phrases with him and thought that will be the top of it till a few days later he began shouting abuse at our guests as properly and it is simply carried on since then."

The Mastersons say the abuse intensified after they contacted the police.

The couple put in cameras. Footage proven to the BBC depicts Ferguson ringing their door within the early hours of the morning and verbally abusing Amy from his backyard throughout the small avenue.

On the morning Ferguson rang their doorbell at 01.30, their automobile was vandalised a short while later. The wrongdoer was by no means recognized however the household consider he was concerned.

Escape plan

Ultimately, Ferguson was issued with an Asbo and a non-harassment order in relation to the Mastersons however, they are saying, the abuse continues.

Since July final 12 months, he has been convicted seven instances of breaching his Asbo, and convicted thrice for threatening and abusive behaviour.

This included a risk to petrol bomb their automobile.

Due to his mobility points, Chris took to sleeping in the lounge – simply in case a hearth began on the property.

"I used to be awake for nights after that, pondering of an escape plan," he stated.

"I take my prosthetic leg off at night time and the place our automobile sits is true exterior the door."

The couple have been cited 18 instances in simply over a 12 months for court docket circumstances involving their neighbour's conduct.

"We could not even plan a vacation final 12 months as a result of each time we have been in court docket.

"Even our household would not wish to come and see us now as a result of they get abused, and we do not need them to come back as a result of we're embarrassed."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/9aff/live/f14113a0-db3c-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/9aff/live/f14113a0-db3c-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9aff/live/f14113a0-db3c-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/9aff/live/f14113a0-db3c-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/9aff/live/f14113a0-db3c-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/9aff/live/f14113a0-db3c-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/9aff/live/f14113a0-db3c-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9aff/live/f14113a0-db3c-11f0-aae2-2191c0e48a3b.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Masterson family A view of street - taken from CCTV on the first floor of a house - showing the side of a hatchback car mid-way through parking, while a white-haired man wearing dark trousers and a dark bodywarmer lights a cigarette on the kerb." class="sc-5340b511-0 hLdNfA"/> Masterson household Peter Ferguson waits for Amy Masterson to park her automobile earlier than shouting abuse at her

The Mastersons have thought-about promoting their residence.

Nonetheless, as a result of they must declare their neighbour having an Asbo, a mortgage advisor informed them it is both unlikely to promote or they'd lose an excessive amount of cash.

Though eviction proceedings towards Ferguson are ongoing and so they have been informed the method can be streamlined, they are saying they really feel communication from the council has "dried up".

"They solely inform you when the subsequent listening to is and that is about it actually," stated Amy.

"There isn't any assist for us making an attempt to do the appropriate factor for our security and wellbeing and our household's."

Authorized motion

Chris and Amy Masterson say they contacted us by way of 'Your Voice, Your BBC' as a final resort. They really feel let down by the courts and by South Lanarkshire Council, who home Ferguson.

The BBC visited Ferguson to deal with the feedback made by the couple.

Regardless of seeing us strategy, he closed his entrance door and refused to talk to us, besides to shout the phrase: "Go."

In the course of the go to, a neighbour defended Ferguson, declaring the Mastersons have phoned police greater than 100 instances and including that it's the couple who're making his life a distress.

"There are two sides to the story," she stated.

A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Council stated: "We have now each sympathy with anybody who suffers from anti-social behaviour and now we have sturdy strategies in place to take care of such a behaviour."

They added: "We have now been actively pursuing authorized motion and haven't any management over the court docket timescales or any delays. We're at the moment ready for the eviction proceedings being heard at court docket."

If there are points you wish to see coated, you may get in contact by way of BBC Your Voice.

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