A man has admitted harassing a Vicar because he was fed up with the sound of the church bells ringing.
Gary Bizley, 45, of Longstock Court, Eastleaze, pleaded guilty to harassment without violence at Swindon Magistrates Court on November 5.
Mr Ballinger, prosecuting, told the court that Bizley’s harassment of the Vicar of St Mary’s Church in Lydiard Park went on for four months – from April 14 to August 16.
It began while the Vicar was on holiday in April and returned home to find several voicemails left on his landline from Bizley “being abusive about the bells” and saying phrases like “your f***ing bells.”
Flash Sale!🌟
— Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) November 1, 2024
Get closer to Swindon's stories with The Swindon Advertiser
Unlimited local news, an ad-free app, and a digital replica of our print edition—all with 80% fewer ads.
Subscribe now for a seamless news experience - https://t.co/ayrpkI4RBy#StayInformed pic.twitter.com/0RPJk3hDqF
He had also threatened to “do some damage to the church”, challenged groups of bellringers and had called complaining about the bells on other occasions.
During his police interview, Bizley told officers he was glad his actions were causing the vicar distress, but did not mean to alarm him and had found his number on Google.
Additionally, Bizley explained to officers that he had lived in the area for seven years and had not been able to hear the bells until recently and said the noise stopped him from reading his books, so he wanted the vicar to explain why they were suddenly louder.
In mitigation, Mr Williams, defending, admitted the case was "a bit strange” and Bizley suffered from mental health problems and insomnia, meaning he would have to catch up on sleep when he had the chance and “for some reason, he was highly annoyed by the bells.”
Mr Williams added that Bizley, who hopes to move out of Swindon soon, knew he needed to be a “bit more tolerant in the future” and realised he could no longer contact the Vicar or anyone else in relation to bell ringing.
The Magistrate told him: “People do get annoyed about things that happen close to them and that’s fine, but you’ve gone too far.
“Clearly you need to behave in a different way in the future and you have obviously learned your lesson.”
Bizley was fined £80 and ordered to pay a £32 surcharge with £85 prosecution costs – totalling £197.
The judge also issued Bizley a one-year restraining order against the Vicar and he will not be allowed back into St Mary’s Church during that time to “give everyone a bit of breathing space.”
Help support trusted local news
Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/subscribe/
As a digital subscriber, you will get:
- Unlimited access to the Swindon Advertiser website
- Advert-light access
- Reader rewards
- Full access to our app
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel