A PENSIONER bombarded a care home with abusive calls during a campaign of harassment.

Gordon Reeve called Engleburn Care Home in Barton on Sea more than 30 times in half an hour, a court heard.

Often withholding his number the 68-year-old "subjected staff to rude and abusive language" between January 31 and February 10 this year.

He caused "massive disturbance" and even entered residents’ rooms without permission.

The manager of Engleburn in Milford Road was left feeling "stressed and withdrawn".

Employees were also said to be upset by his persistent harassment.

Reeve's elderly mother had been staying at the home but was eventually moved before the Covid pandemic.

However, he went on to harass Reverend David John shouting at him in the street on multiple occasions and accusing him of ruining his life between June 19 and June 23.

He even took out an ad in a local newspaper labelling the pastor at Ashley Baptist Church as a Judas.

Speaking to the Daily Echo at Southampton Magistrates' Court on Monday, Reeve told how he had been unhappy with the care given to his mother by Engleburn.

Adding to this, he said felt he had been betrayed by Ashley Church - where he had previously been a member - and Rev John due to a lack of support.

His victim tried to "turn his cheek" but the ordeal left him “embarrassed” with the newspaper advert causing him personal distress.

Reeve appeared before Southampton Magistrates' Court on charged with harassment without violence, breaching a restraining order and breaching a suspended sentence.

He previously pleaded guilty.

In defence, it was argued Reeve had made no further complaints towards Engleburn since his mother moved.

His defence solicitor argued his client had had issues with his medication at the time of the offences.

Furthermore, it was said Reeve who uses a walking frame has mental health issues, disabilities and is clearly frail.

District Judge Richard Blake scolded him for his actions describing them as mean, miserable and unpleasant.

However, took sympathy on him mentioning Reeve's elderly mother.

He slapped him with a four-month community order which includes a curfew from 1pm to 1am every day.

Reeve was ordered to pay £785 in costs and compensation.

Judge Blake warned he would not have anymore nonsense from him and he would be "on the bus to prison" if he offended again.