A man who leafleted a court making untrue allegations about a local newspaper reporter has been banned from contacting anyone at the Barnsley Chronicle until 2010.

Former wedding business owner David Peace has been made the subject of an anti-social behaviour order, and has been warned that if he breaches any of its conditions he could face five years in prison.

As well as banning him from contacting Barnsley Chronicle reporter Ian Harley or any members of the newspaper’s staff, the ASBO also prevents the 52-year-old from entering Barnsley magistrates court and from distributing leaflets.

Last year, when he was appearing at Barnsley magistrates charged with threatening behaviour and criminal damage, he was seen putting a poster in the public foyer and toilets in which he made defamatory and indecent claims against court reporter Ian.

He was spoken to by police and initially admitted the offence, but then later denied it.

Several months later he reappeared in court because he had failed to comply with a community punishment order issued when he was found guilty of the original offences.

Once again he was seen putting up the posters.

When he appeared at Doncaster Magistrates Court, David, of Wombwell Lane, Stairfoot, denied he had breached public order by putting up posters and distributing leaflets.

He was found guilty and fined £750 and ordered to pay £350 in legal costs.

A police application for an ASBO was also granted by the court.

That order specifies David cannot distribute leaflets in any form, cannot contact Ian Harley, cannot contact any member of the Barnsley Chronicle staff including reporters, photographers or their agents, should not enter Barnsley magistrates court unless directed to by the courts and not to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any member of the public.

Barnsley Chronicle editor Robert Cockroft told HoldtheFrontPage: “Justice has been done.” Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or e-mail [email protected]