Magistrates have ordered a Hitcham man to return to court next April after he allegedly breached an order banning him to contact his neighbours.

Kevin Maynard is accused of wearing a wig as a disguise as he entered the home of his neighbours in the village near Hadleigh, to mow their lawn.

Maynard, 62, of Brettenham Road, Hitcham, appeared at Suffolk Magistrates' Court on Friday to deny two counts of breaching an order banning him from contacting John Riches and his partner, Margaret O'Hanlon.

Magistates heard how Maynard broke the order imposed in November 2018 and lasting two years, by contacting Mr Riches over the garden fence, shouting his name and taking photos on February 14, and by entering the curtilage of his neighbour's home, wearing a wig as a disguise, and mowing the grass on April 30 this year.

A one-day trial has been listed to take place at Colchester Magistrates' Court on April 1 next year.