Car park row makes William, 75, oldest man with an ASBO
A GRANDFATHER of ten has become the oldest person in Scotland to be given an Asbo after a dispute over parking.
William Myles, 75, received an anti-social behaviour order last month following a two-year argument with neighbours.
Mr Myles’ feud with James and Neil McCallum-Browne has seen him allegedly make obscene gestures, threats and hurl verbal abuse at the men.
East Lothian Council was called in to investigate over the alleged incidents in Prestonpans, East Lothian, and the pensioner was served with an Asbo at Haddington Sheriff Court on September 30.
His neighbours have welcomed Mr Myles’ Asbo and claim they have been ‘put through hell’. James
‘Feel I’m coming home to a prison’
McCallum-Browne said: ‘ Asbos don’t get handed out for nothing.’
Mr Myles admits l osing his temper but insists he is in the right over the row, which stems from a dispute over access to a shared driveway.
The disagreement began after Mr Myles was told he would no longer be allowed to use the driveway to park his car.
He then built a car park at the end of his garden, but a gate which leads to the space was locked and a fence was erected.
This meant Mr Myles has to park his car on the high street hundreds of yards away.
He has lived at the address with his wife Margery, 61, for 12 years. He said: ‘All I want to do is park my car as I have done for 12 years. They moved in two years ago and it’s been non-stop for us ever since.
‘They keep pushing me and pushing me. I’ve lost my temper with them and said things I shouldn’t but we’ve lived here peacefully with different neighbours.’
Mr Myles added: ‘The stress is getting to my wife. I’m going to try my best to stick to the order but I’m sure they’ll keep needling me.’
Mrs Myles said their neighbours had complained more than 100 times. She added: ‘ They complained my husband had been drinking wine in the morning before driving. But he doesn’t drink wine. They also complained we have too many visitors.
‘My house used to be a place I could relax. Now I feel like I’m coming home to a prison, because I constantly worry about what I’m doing.’
An East Lothian Council spokesman said: ‘Despite warnings to Mr Myles about his behaviour he continued to behave in a manner which caused considerable alarm and distress to his neighbours.’
Mr Myles now hopes to appeal the Asbo. He said: ‘If I can get enough character witnesses then hopefully I can get it overturned.’
The title of oldest Asbo holder was previously held by 73-year-old Joan Courtney, of Perthshire, who was given an order last year after shouting and swearing at a neighbour.