Marek Powalski’s behaviour left his neighbour scared to go to the garage in case it caused issues, a court heard
Marek Powalski pleaded guilty to harassment without violence and was fined for his behaviour(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
A man harassed his neighbour over a seven-month period, repeatedly calling him a “paedo”, a court heard.
Marek Powalski was said to have filmed his neighbour installing CCTV cameras, made rude hand gestures at the camera and picked fights over parking. The 52-year-old – who has since moved house – had ongoing issues with his neighbours over several years, North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard.
Powalski, of Joyce Avenue, Bradeley, Stoke-on-Trent, pleaded guilty to harassment without violence between September 23, 2024, and April 26, 2025.
Marek Powalski has since moved house, his lawyer pointed out in mitigation(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)READ MORE: ‘Worst case of child abuse ever seen’ as boy, 2, suffered torn abdomen at hands of ‘monster’ mumREAD MORE: Boris Johnson to be grilled about Covid-19 harms to whole generation of children
He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge, StokeonTrentLive reports.
Prosecutor Suzanne Swindail said: “The defendant repeatedly called him a ‘paedo’. The complainant said there were ongoing issues with the defendant for about two years. The complainant had CCTV systems put up due to the ongoing issues. On September 23, 2024 Powalski was seen videoing the complainant putting the cameras up.”
“On October 8 the CCTV showed Powalski putting his fingers up and swearing towards the camera. On December 31 he approached the driveway and there was a verbal argument due to the parking. And on April 26 he called his neighbour a ‘paedo’.”
In a victim statement, the neighbour said the harassment had taken a toll on her mental health and left her reluctant to leave the house. Her husband added he was scared to go to the garage, fearing it could cause further issues with the neighbour.
Simon Leech, mitigating, said the defendant has since moved house and no longer lives on the same street as the complainant.
Mr Leech said: “There is a long history. The defendant has accepted there was a protracted history. It began with the defendant attempting to carry out DIY work. The pressure has grown to such a level that the defendant has chosen to sell his house.
“They have upped and moved because they could not take the pressure any longer. They sold the house at a significant financial loss.”
