A Newton Abbot 'neighbour from hell' who went on hunger strike after being jailed for six months has been granted bail, pending an appeal against the judgment handed down by South Devon Magistrates last Friday.
In a behind-closed-doors bail application at Exeter Crown Court on Wednesday, 63-year-old Arthur De Val's solicitor successfully applied for bail on the basis that the appeal could not be heard for several months and, if he remained in custody, he would have served the whole of his sentence.
De Val, of Twickenham Road, Newton Abbot, began refusing food and medication in protest at the circumstances which led to the prosecution.
He has demanded a new investigation in launching his appeal against the court judgment.
At the magistrates' court De Val was given the jail term and was also served with an indeterminate antisocial behaviour order after they found him guilty of seven counts of harassment and one public order offence.
During the trial, De Val, who spent 18 years as a farmer in Zimbabwe, was accused of a 'campaign of abuse' against his neighbours.
The former newsagent was described as a 'thug' and a 'liar' who had subjected his neighbours to 'persistent abuse and revolting language' over a ten-year period.
Magistrates sentenced De Val to six months for each of the eight charges to run concurrently.
They also imposed an asbo prohibiting him from acting, inciting or encouraging people to act in an antisocial manner and from using or encouraging others to use foul, abusive, insulting, racial or intimidating language in a public place.
The order bans him from harassing, molesting or intimidating 13 individuals, including his neighbours and some of their friends.
De Val is also prevented from displaying offensive signs or writing and from throwing stones, other objects or water into any other property.
It is expected the appeal will be heard later this year.