Portsmouth man spared jail for homophobic harassment

A MAN who shouted homophobic abuse at his neighbour has been spared jail.

Mark Bryant, 55, banged on an adjoining wall, shouted in the doorway and called one woman a ‘scumbag’ – and used homophobic language.

Bryant, who was living in Portsmouth between October 30, 2016, and March 19, 2017, admitted harassment during that period.

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He also admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour causing harassment, alarm or distress on April 1.

Portsmouth magistrates imposed a six-week prison sentence suspended for a year.

He must complete 15 days of rehabilitation activities.

A restraining order bans him from contacting the victims and bans him from their street in Portsmouth for a year.

He must pay a £115 victim surcharge and £70 prosecution costs.

Bryant, of Mallards Road, Bursledon, initially denied the charges against him but changed his pleas. He received a harsher sentence due to the homophobic abuse.