A St Albans man has been jailed after a torrent of harassment towards his neighbour ended with him throwing bricks through her window.

Mounir Zakhama was sentenced to 13 weeks' imprisonment on Monday, April 29, having appeared at St Albans Crown Court.

Between August 28 and September 21, 2023, the 59-year-old - previously from the Park Street area - had thrown bricks through his neighbour's window, continuously banged on her walls, revved his car engine outside her window and continuously shouted abuse and threatened her.

He was also sentenced for assaulting PC Clare Lapenna on arrest and criminal damage to police van on September 21, 2023.

In a separate matter, Zakhama admitted damaging some building works and stealing builders' sandbags on September 16.

His 13-week sentence was served while he was remanded in custody between September and December 2023.

Zakhama has also been ordered to pay £300 to the harassment victim, £50 compensation to PC Lapenna and £50 to a third party.

A restraining order is already in place until March 4, 2034, which means he must not contact the victim directly or indirectly or enter the address in Park Street.

PC Lapenna said: “Zakhama’s neighbour was constantly being harassed – things quickly escalated when Zakhama started throwing bricks though her window, which could have seriously injured her.

"His actions were dangerous and she was fearful of what he would do next.

"We arrested him and he was remanded in custody until December as the Crown Prosecution Service felt that there were no bail conditions that could adequately protect the victim and they were convinced he would commit further offences.

“No-one should have to put up with constant harassment or feel fearful of going home.

"We worked with the estate agent, private landlady, victim support and St Albans City & District Council to quickly resolve this dispute.

"Zakhama has not only had time to think about his behaviour in prison but has been given a restraining order for 10 years and he now resides in Bedfordshire. If he breaches this order, he will be sent back to prison.

"The victim feels reassured that he got justice for the distress he caused her.

“If you are experiencing a neighbourhood dispute, contact us and we will do everything within our power, including working with the district council and housing associations to evict offenders.”

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Crimes can be reported to Hertfordshire police online at www.herts.police.uk/ro/report or by calling the police's non-emergency number 101.

Hertfordshire police's web chat function can be used by visiting herts.police.uk/contact.

Anonymous information can be given by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.