Noel Gilbert Peachey, 60, appeared in the Invercargill District Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to three charges of harassment, intimidation and threatening behaviour.
The court heard the defendant shared a driveway with his disabled neighbour.
Later, she began working for Peachey’s neighbour.
Counsel Cate Andersen said this created "a continuing environment of conflict" between Peachey and the victim.
Originally, the neighbours of five years were good friends who would play bowls together.
But between February 24 and September 18 Peachey loitered outside the woman’s window and provoked her.
The woman’s bedroom window could be seen from the driveway, where the defendant would stand and disturb her.
At the start of last year, Peachey pulled the finger at the victim and filmed her on his phone.
On August 27 the defendant walked down the drive and yelled abuse at her through her bedroom window.
The following month, he mimed pointing a rifle at the woman and pretended to shoot her.
He continued making banging noises with finger pistols directed at the victim.
Because Peachey continued to breach his bail conditions, he was remanded in custody for more than two months.
The court heard this led to him and his wife losing their lease and becoming homeless.
They were living in a van, which was not ideal for Peachey’s disabled wife, Ms Andersen said.
Judge Russell Walker said the reports he had about the defendant painted a picture of "an obsessive and impulsive individual who [believes he] is never wrong".
He said it was clear Peachey angered quickly and made poor decisions when he was frustrated.
Judge Walker acknowledged the woman was "almost defenceless" and "terrified".
The police prosecutor confirmed the victim had since died.
Judge Walker sentenced Peachey to 12 months’ supervision.
"You should make sure that you don’t come back before the court again," he told the defendant.
