A MAN repeatedly harassed the owner of an educational farm in Harwood and blocked the road leading to the premises.

Over several months last year Charles Chung waged a campaign of harassment against Alex Bailey, who runs Heyhead Farm, a facility which offers vulnerable young people and adults with learning difficulties the opportunity to work with animals.

In June last year Bolton Council granted planning permission for a two-storey extension to be built, which would be used by up to 25 students plus staff.

The five-acre farm is accessed via Bowstone Hill Road, which also serves as the access route for neighbouring Bowstone Hill Cottages, where 66-year-old Chung lives.

At Bolton Magistrates’ Court Chung, who was due to face trial accused of harassment and using threatening behaviour, but changed his plea to guilty.

The court heard how, between February 1 and November 10 last year he repeatedly made a nuisance of himself.

On February 4 he blocked the route of people going to the farm via Bowstone Hill Road and was abusive and then, four days later, was confrontational towards Mrs Bailey and others using the track and caused a disturbance at the farm.

Between February 10 and 12 he left numerous voice messages for her before, again, obstructing access to the farm and using threatening behaviour towards her on February 15

A total of 76 Whatsapp messages were sent to the farmer by Chung on February 16 and he continued to block access to and from the farm on February 21 and between September 29 and November 6.

In court Chung was fined £342 and given a community sentence which includes 15 days of rehabilitation activities.

He must also pay £500 in prosecution costs plus £95 towards the costs of funding victim services.

A restraining order was made banning him from going to the farm or contacting the Baileys.

Mr Bailey told The Bolton News following the hearing: “I have a lot of sympathy for Mr Chung.

“I think he has some problems.

“It wasn’t the line we first wanted to go down, but with the amount of problems, we felt we didn’t have a choice because we couldn’t continue.”

He added: “We are happy with the outcome as long as it proves to be a deterrent.”