He has been given a ‘final chance’ after his court appearance
A nightmare neighbour angrily shouted a menacing threat through a couple’s letterbox late at night and warned them “I’m going to f***ing kill you”. The couple were in bed when bad-tempered troublemaker Carl Duffy suddenly turned up outside their home and banged loudly on their door.
They had suffered a series of other problems with him before the unexpected nasty and frightening threat to kill them made things even worse, Hull Crown Court heard. Duffy, 50, of North Way, Goole, admitted making a threat to kill on November 18, 2023.
Julia Baggs, prosecuting, said that a couple who were neighbours of Duffy at the time were in bed at 10.25pm when they heard loading banging on their front door. “The defendant was shouting through the letterbox,” said Miss Baggs.
They recognised Duffy’s voice and he shouted: “I’m Carl Duffy and I’m going to f***ing kill you.” The woman felt really scared because of ongoing problems with Duffy and her husband shouted “F*** off” in return.
They heard a door slam shut as Duffy went back to his own home. He was arrested and was taken into custody. The woman later said that she believed that Duffy was capable of carrying out the threat and she was scared of having another confrontation with him.
She had suffered problems and these had got worse. “They have moved as a direct result of this incident,” said Miss Baggs.
Chris Aspinall, mitigating, said that Duffy had been fined by magistrates for harassment involving the couple. Duffy had convictions for 10 previous offences, including for public disorder, the court heard.
Judge Gurdial Singh said that it was a serious offence of making a threat to kill the couple while they were in bed. “That caused them alarm and distress,” said Judge Singh.
“They had previously had the police attend and made a statement with allegations of harassment. You pleaded guilty to that and have been fined.
“If you contact them in any way, shape or form, you will come back to this court and you will be looking at a maximum prison sentence of five years. You so much as breathe in their direction, they will call the police and you will be arrested.
“A short custodial sentence is not going to assist you or them but a restraining order will. This will be your final chance. It’s quite clear that they have done everything they can to break this cycle of offending.
“There will be no further chances for you.” Duffy was given 15 days’ rehabilitation and a five-year restraining order.
Do you feel safe where you live? You can have your say by completing the poll below or by clicking here.