Residents have hit back at a judge's comments that people were glad not to live in their street.

In issuing a 12-month restraining order against Dave Batter, Judge Michael Yelton concluded "we are all very pleased that we don't live in this street" - Northview Drive, Westcliff.

The order against Mr Batter, of Fleetwood Avenue, after a case at Southend County Court brought by Danny Cooch, of Northview Drive, came after a campaign of "low-level harassment" in which there was "fault on both sides".

The case centred around Mr Batter causing harassment while attending the home of Mr Cooch's next door neighbour.

But residents in the area of Northview Drive, which Judge Yelton branded "the most litigious corner of Westcliff", claim that most people there are friendly and they cannot understand past feuding - though none of them would be named.

One person who lived nearby said: "I disagree - it's quite a close community but I can't say I have noticed anything."

Another resident in a nearby property said that life was all right in the street, but admitted he would probably make a move if he came into unexpected money. He said: "If I won the lottery now, I would buy myself a house in Leigh and build a wall around it."

Someone else who lives in Northview Drive, said: "I keep myself to myself and don't nose out of the window.

"I would say it's quite a nice street to live in. I talk to people and they are normally friendly. There are quite a few people who say hello."

The order on Mr Batter was made to prevent him from assaulting, threatening, harassing Mr Cooch, his co-habitant Maureen Naughton or their daughter.

He was also ordered not to enter Mr Cooch's home or the neighbour's where he had been a visitor.

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