A man from Trowse has been sentenced to a 12-month community order after threatening to kill his neighbours’ dog during a dispute over barking.
Daniel Richardson, 48, appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to harassment and threatening behaviour.
The court heard how Richardson had repeatedly verbally abused his neighbours and even sent threatening voice messages.
The long-running dispute involved the couple who lived next door to Richardson on Whitlingham Lane, between Trowse and Postwick.
The long-running dispute involved the couple who lived next door to Richardson on Whitlingham Lane
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Relations between the neighbours had deteriorated in 2023, leading to increasingly hostile behaviour from Richardson.
Richardson had lived next door to the couple for 11 years, while they had been residents for 30 years.
The court was told he frequently shouted through adjoining walls.
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On one occasion, Richardson told the couple he would “cut your heads off”.
In a statement read to the court, the couple said they had been left fearful and intimidated after Richardson had threatened to kill their pets and burn down their house.
The dispute started off about barking from the couple’s dog, which had escalated into increasingly serious threats.
After pleading guilty, Richardson was sentenced to a 12-month community order with rehabilitation requirements.
The court also imposed a limited activity requirement that prevents him from having contact with his neighbours.
The couple, who had lived on Whitlingham Lane for three decades, expressed their distress in court.
They described feeling fearful and intimidated by Richardson’s threatening behaviour.
Richardson will now need to comply with the court’s order, which aims to prevent further harassment while providing rehabilitation support.
