MAGISTRATES have ordered a 40-year-old man to get on with his neighbours or face a prison sentence.

They have imposed an anti-social behaviour (ASBO) order on Mark Raggett who threatened a council official with a pickaxe handle in a row over his garden hedge.

If he breaches the ASBO, which is set to run for two years, he could be arrested and jailed for up to five years.

The case revolved around Raggett, of Lambden Lane, Pluckley, near Ashford, and his behaviour towards his neighbours over the past three years. He had made a hole in a hedge to carry building equipment through and his neighbours complained to Ashford council.

When officials arrived, with police back-up, Raggett became abusive and threatened them with a pickaxe handle. Police drew their CS spray canisters to calm him down, Ashford magistrates were told.

Raggett admitted using threatening words and behaviour and the ASBO was granted at the request of the Crown Prosecution Service and police.

It means he is prohibited from causing harassment, alarm or distress to anyone in Pluckley and is specifically forbidden from entering his neighbours' gardens, using threats of violence against them or inciting anyone else to make threats.

Raggett is also banned from using foul, abusive or racist language or gestures, engaging in any form of criminal damage or using a vehicle to cause harassment, alarm or distress to his neighbours.

Sgt Jeff Lawrence, of the Weald crime reduction unit, said: "ASBOs are considered a last resort by Kent Police when dealing with cases of this type."