A SELF-styled Greenock 'vigilante' has been cleared of threatening and abusive behaviour - after one of his accusers admitted in court to 'hating' him.

Daniel Murray, 51, walked free after former neighbour Pat Wallace conceded that he consistently used a derogatory name on social media when referring to him.

Mr Wallace's wife, Linda, also 'exhibited ill feeling' towards Mr Murray — who was a near-neighbour of theirs at a Greenock high-rise — a trial was told.

The Wallaces had claimed Mr Murray intimidated them after entering a lift at Whinhill Court, but he insisted that he was merely raising grievances with them.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard how Mr Murray had produced a mobile phone within the lift in order to record what was happening and was arrested shortly afterwards.

His lawyer, Ryan Sloan, said: "The Crown evidence has to be filtered through the very obvious disdain that the Crown witnesses have for Mr Murray.

"They both have a very clear distaste for this man."

Mr Sloan added: "Why, if Mr Murray was engaging in criminal behaviour, would he be the one who is producing a mobile phone to record what was going on?"

Prosecutor Lindy Scaife said that Mr and Mrs Wallace had given their evidence in a 'forthright manner', adding: "Mr Murray entered the lift in a deliberate attempt to intimidate them."

But Mr Sloan argued: "This was a wholly chance meeting of parties."

Mr Murray had also been accused of shouting, swearing and threatening tradesmen who had been carrying out electrical work within the tower block.

However, he told the court that his arm was in a sling as a result of slipping on debris left within the common close and he had been remonstrating with the workmen about it.

The trial heard previously how Mr Murray had turned up at a tenants' and residents' meeting and signed himself in as 'Vigilante'.

A charge that he had shouted and acted aggressively during the course of the meeting was dropped as the case proceeded through lack of corroborative evidence.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton found Mr Murray not guilty of the two remaining charges concerning Mr and Mrs Wallace and the workmen.

The sheriff said: "There is clearly a background here and the incident in the lift has to be viewed against that.

"Mr Murray appears to be someone who is not easily put off standing up for his own rights."

Sheriff Hamilton added: "This is not a trial to determine whether the accused deals with conflict in an appropriate manner; the court has to ascertain if his actions were criminal.

"There was a frank exchange of views (with the tradesmen) and I am not satisfied that what took place was criminal."