Disabled man hit with ASBO after bombarding council with 10,000 calls in just four months

A disabled man has vowed to continue pestering his council - despite being slapped with an ASBO for making more than 10,000 phone calls in four months.

Robert Bullough, 59, caused fed-up staff to break down in tears and some even threatened to quit their jobs.

But after being slapped with an ASBO banning him from contact with the Darwen Council in Lancashire, Mr Bullough said: "This ASBO doesn't stop me writing letters - I can write as many as I like."

Wheelchair-bound Mr Bullough campaign of harassment began when he called the council's social services department in August 2006 when he made a complaint about the level of service he was receiving and the billing for it.

There was a dispute which went to independent arbitration and the billing was found to be incorrect. An amount of money was written off and Bullough received an apology for the error.

But he then stepped up his campaign over the coming months.

Jeff Cole, head of customer operations, told a court that calls were made to a call centre, the authority's one-stop shop and customer services.

"It seemed quite peculiar and initially quite amusing," said Mr Cole.

"As time progressed there was a change in attitude and the effect the calls were having.

"The volume of calls began to increase and the inquiries became more sporadic.

"I spoke to several members of staff on the front line and it became apparent their workload was being increased by Mr Bullough."

He said the council held a series of meetings earlier this year and some staff people were considering resigning because of Bullough's bizarre behaviour.

"At least one member of staff broke down in tears because of him," said Mr Cole.

"The staff felt intimidated by him and some began to feel threatened."

Letters were sent to Bullough, of Blackburn, and staff were authorised to terminate any calls from him.

The town's magistrates court heard how his home and mobile phone numbers were barred by the council system but he began withholding his number.

Magistrates decided the defendant's actions were excessive and issued him with a two-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order

After the case, Mr Bullough said: "I won't speak to them ever again if I can help it.

"It probably was too many calls but the council should be there if you need to speak to them.

"I pay for a service which I don't believe I'm getting. If they would have helped me in the first place I wouldn't have had to contact them so many times."

He added: "I have a number of parking tickets outstanding - if I can't contact the town hall they won't get paid.

"But this ASBO doesn't stop me writing letters - I can write as many as I like."

Mr Bullough has now been banned from all council buildings, threatening staff or ringing officials, except in an emergency, by a court.