Rodney Edward Hugo in Taree court charged with Cundletown intimidation over neighbour dispute

A Mid-North Coast magistrate has warned those involved to “refrain from personal interactions or name calling” as a stalking and intimidation hearing got under way.

The dispute landed three people in court.

A bitter dispute between neighbours, which has allegedly dragged on for almost four years, has sparked a court case in Taree, with parties warned by a magistrate to “refrain from personal interactions or name calling.”

Rodney Edward Hugo is facing two charges of stalking/intimidating intending to cause fear of physical harm (personal) and one charge of contravening a prohibition/restriction in an apprehended violence order.

Hugo is fighting the charges after his attempt to have the matter dealt with under the Mental Health Act was unsuccessful.

Magistrate Allison Hawkins ruled the alleged behaviour was more indicative of alcohol abuse than mental health issues.

Under the Act, the court can divert defendants into the care and treatment of mental health professionals, rather than dealing with them through the criminal justice system.

As the hearing got underway on Tuesday afternoon, the court heard of a long-running dispute between Hugo and his neighbours Peter and Lynne Stanners at Cundletown, a small town on the outskirts of Taree.

Rodney Edward Hugo at Taree Local Court on May 16.

The charges relate specifically to an alleged incident on the night of November 24 last year.

Mr and Mrs Stanners both gave evidence before Ms Hawkins.

Mr Stanners told the court he and his wife were out for dinner and when they got back Hugo started yelling, calling him a “Peter-file” and saying “bring it on”.

He told the court “it’s what he (Hugo) always said”.

Mr Stanners told the court that in the past he has “lost his nana” with Hugo.

The court heard the couple installed CCTV footage to record the alleged ongoing behaviour.

Hugo allegedly turned his attention to Mrs Stanners, calling her a “white headed fat arse s--t”, the court heard.

At one point during his evidence, Mr Stanners raised his voice, pointed his finger at the defendant and called him a goose.

Hugo sat shaking his head before Ms Hawkins warned the men to refrain from personal interactions.

During Mrs Stanners’ evidence, the court heard of Hugo yelling and accusing Mr Stanners of interfering with his grandchildren.

“It made me feel sick,” she said.

The police prosecutor alleged in the court it was a clear case of intimidation and Hugo’s threats included statements such as “it’s going to be good when one of you dies” and “get in the ground”.

Hugo’s defence lawyer told the court his client did not know if the Stanners were home at the time of the alleged offending.

He told the court Mrs Stanners did not fear being harmed by Hugo, but instead felt a “desire to rid herself and her husband of the nuisance – (being) sick of hearing something is a far cry from being in fear of physical harm.”

The case was adjourned to June 19.