Homeowner 'hoodwinked' into buying house next to 'neighbour from hell' Mr McGrath has also been banned from wearing a sinister balaclava, and ordered to undertake mental health treatment after chasing three teenagers with a knife. Now Mr Hurst, who paid £179,000 for the house in Melville Drive, Wickford, in July 2008, is suing vendors Stuart and Caroline Wilson for damages of £100,000. Mr Wilson, of 12 Bliss Close, Witham, Essex, had given evidence against Mr McGrath when he stood trial for harassing neighbours in April 2007, and the couple had also complained to the police about his behaviour, and had received letters from the police about him, court documents say. They had also had numerous discussions with neighbours in Melville Road about his behaviour. Mr Hurst says if he had known about Mr McGrath, he would not have bought the house, which he now cannot sell. Mr McGrath has made the lives of him and his wife Kerry a misery, and caused them serious and prolonged upset, distress, and anxiety, he says. Put simply, they have found themselves with a 'neighbour from hell', the writ says. Mr McGrath has blocked their drive with pot, made loud noises, slamming doors, running up and down stairs, singing and playing loud music, and has often displayed his intimidating balaclava despite the court order, they claim. He was jailed for six months at Basildon Crown Court in June 2011 for using threatening or intimidating behaviour, and his mental health treatment extended. Mr Hurst says his home is worth £94,500 instead of the £180,000 it should be worth, and is demanding the difference from the Wilsons. The writ was issued by solicitors Churchills. Ends