Banned from estate after threatening to kill neighbour (From Warrington Guardian)

Man hurled abuse at woman and drew knife back across his throat on Grasmere Avenue, Orford

9:00am Friday 21st September 2012 in News

A MAN has been banned from Grasmere Avenue after threatening to kill his ‘nosey’ neighbour.

Daniel Murray, a former resident of the Orford estate, appeared at Warrington Crown Court on Friday.

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty to affray after the incident on April 21 this year.

Prosecuting, Meirion Lewis-Jones described how neighbour Charlene Currie was looking out of her kitchen window at 9am.

She saw Murray’s girlfriend Chloe leaving a block of flats with her two children with the defendant screaming from a window at them. Chloe was crying.

Murray noticed Mrs Currie watching and hurled abuse at her before approaching her window, swearing and calling her nosey, the court heard.

He produced a knife before drawing it back across his throat, shouting ‘I’m going to slit your and your kids’ throats’.

Mrs Currie shouted for her husband to call the police while Murray returned to his flat.

She reported seeing a large kitchen knife in his hand, but police arresting the defendant only recovered a butter knife.

Murray, who now lives in Brindley Avenue, Westy, was ‘unco-operative and aggressive’ to officers, the court heard.

He admitted carrying the butter knife but denied approaching his neighbour’s window.

Defending, Philip Martin said the former Grappenhall Hall pupil had experienced a troubled childhood, changing his name from O’Sullivan to avoid bullying.

When sentencing, Judge David Hale said: “Whatever problems you have don’t take it out on other people.

“When the police come to arrest you don’t be so difficult – they are only doing their job.

“The Curries are only living their lives.”

Judge Hale banned Murray from going within 100 metres of Grasmere Avenue.

He also imposed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and a 12-month supervision order.