Family left 'living in fear' with son unable to play outdoors after neighbour's terrifying threats
Graham Edmond, 41, was sentenced to 19 weeks in jail at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting to two offences
NORTHUMBRIA POLICE
A man who left his neighbours terrified after threatening to “kill” them in a drunken outburst has been convicted and sentenced.
Graham Edmond, 41, was sentenced to 19 weeks in jail at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting to two offences.
The sentence was later suspended after Edmond, from Bronte Way in South Shields, vowed to overcome his alcoholism.
Edmond also received a restraining order which bans him indefinitely from contacting the family or entering Bronte Way after he and his partner at the time caused “nothing but problems”.
Newcastle Crown Court
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The 41-year-old and his then-partner shouted at a neighbouring couple and their son as the family returned home following a family meal on August 24 last year.
Edmond shouted he was going to “kill” them and proceeded to bang on the car in which their child was seated.
The family fled to a nearby street but the pair pursued them.
Edmond also used a metal bar to hit the vehicle.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:Officers from Northumbria Police arrived shortly after the frightened family drove away.
Neighbours claimed Edmond was threatening to damage other cars.
Prosecutor Jane Foley said Edmond confronted police in a "very aggressive" manner.
She also claimed he was shouting that he would "batter" them as he was held to the ground by an officer and a neighbour.
The family targeted said in a statement that Edmond and his then-partner had been “abusive” since moving in.
They also claimed they had lived in “fear of further issues and violence” which resulted in stopping their son playing in the garden.
The court heard in mitigation that Edmond, who has 50 convictions for 85 offences, was keen to overcome his drink problem.
Mr Recorder Nicholas Worsley KC told Edmond: "You will kill yourself if you continue drinking like this."
An image of Bronte Way
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The 41-year-old’s 19 weeks' sentence was suspended for 18 months, with Edmond now facing a community order and alcohol rehabilitation requirement.
He admitted to both a public order offence and assaulting an emergency worker.
Edmond told the court: "I need the help, I'm getting too old, aren't I?"
The judge replied: "This is your opportunity, grab it with both hands."