A PENSIONER has been handed a restraining order and a fine of nearly £1,700 after threatening his neighbour with a hammer in Trawsfynydd.

David Joseph Waddilove, of 15 Cefn Gwyn, had been found guilty of threatening Janet Jones at 18 Cefn Gwyn and possessing an offensive weapon at the same address on 15 July this year.

At Dolgellau Magistrates Court, magistrates heard how Waddilove, 70, had become aggressive with his neighbour, Ms Jones, 53, as he was building a fence between their properties.

Crown prosecutor Tracey Willingham said: “The victim states she has lived at the address since 2006 and she was on friendly terms with Mr Waddilove and he had carried out a few DIY jobs for her.

“Over the last few years she explained his attitude began to change towards her and on this particular day in July she saw him putting up a fence between them. She asked him what he was doing and he told her to ‘f**k off’ three times as he was attaching wood to make the fence.

“He walked away from her and came back holding a hammer which she says he was swinging back and forth and as he came towards her he began swinging it towards her head.

“This was also witnessed by a CCG member of staff who was sitting in his van having his lunch at the time of the incident.

“I believe a restraining order must be put in place as part of the sentencing to provide the victim with protection.”

Waddilove’s defence said he had not intended to intimidate the victim and that it wouldn’t happen again.

The magistrates handed Waddilove a community order for six months which involves carrying out a Thinking Skills course.

A restraining order was also imposed and he was ordered to pay £1,680 in fines.

A destruction order was also made for the hammer.