“This incident stole my independence from me, which is something very dear to me.” The prosecution argued that Dyer’s neighbour was “vulnerable” and was “being targeted” by him, suggesting to the judge that the 34-year-old should serve a custodial sentence. But defence counsel Nick Cotter said Dyer felt “remorse for his actions”. He added: “It is not a defence that he suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, but it is a fact. “His mental health issues go some way to explaining his behaviour on this day. “It doesn’t make anything right and it doesn’t wind the clock back. “My client is aware of the effect this has had on the victim.”