A MAN threatened his neighbour with a 20cm kitchen knife over the ownership of a parcel of land at the back of their houses in Tilehurst.

Alan Walters, 66, pleaded guilty to wielding a knife against his neighbour Peter Blendell in an argument over which of the pair owned a small patch of land near their homes.

The incident occurred on May 1 this year and Walters, of Five Acre, was remanded in custody until his sentencing on Tuesday (August 8).

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He was given an 18-month community order with Judge Emma Nott stating his time spent in prison since May has been a punishment within itself.

During the sentencing, the court heard that Mr Blendell had been gardening at about 12.45pm when he noticed Walters’s hand appear over his garden, throwing a handful of stones.

He went over to Walters’s home to confront him but when Walters opened the door he had a knife in his hand and started walking towards his neighbour, making ‘chopping movements’ towards him and saying: “It’s not your land”.

The complainant then struck Walters in the chest but Walters kept walking towards him until the pair were between two parked cars.

Mr Blendell then stated he was filming the defendant who proceeded to back off and walk back towards his home.

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Police were called and Walters was arrested and interviewed at Loddon Valley Police where he admitted he had a knife but that it had remained at his side.

He then pleaded guilty to one count of affray on June 9.

A victim impact statement written by Mr Blendell said: “I’ve had restless sleeps, waking up with thoughts of what happened.

“Even though I know he’s on remand, I still feel uneasy about doing normal things in my garden in fear he’s watching from an upstairs window.

“At this time, Alan’s family car is still parked on our land. This makes me feel uneasy and I believe it has been done on purpose.”

He also stated he had bought £200 of Ring Doorbells and smoke alarms because of the incident.

The court heard that Walters has seven convictions for seven previous offences including indecent exposure in 1981.

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Sentencing, Judge Nott said she will not comment on the ownership of the land and stated it was a matter for the council.

As well as the community order, Walters will need to complete 35 days of rehabilitation activity and has a restraining order not to go near his neighbour or need the land while it is still in an ownership dispute.

She concluded: “You’re far too old for this kind of behaviour now.”