'Pathetic' neighbour threw eggs at couple because he thought they stole his cat
A squabble between neighbours erupted when a man launched eggs at the couple downstairs after becoming convinced they'd robbed his cat.
Granted, we'd all be fuming if someone stole our furry little friend. However, it appears in this case, Roy Atherton's anger was misplaced. The husband and wife, who adore animals, own 10 cats, none of which they claim have ever belonged to the noisy man upstairs.
However, one summer's day in 2023, he became convinced otherwise, kicking at their door and hurling abuse; at one stage he even threw eggs. Preston Crown Court heard that the man said, "Watch your cat", rendering the couple terrified that he may try and hurt it or potentially commit what he believed would be justice and attempt to steal it back. Consequently, they feared the worst, when the cuddly animal went missing for 10 days. Luckily, it returned unharmed.
The husband said: "I just want Roy to leave me and my wife alone. My wife is not well at the moment and is stressed about what he is doing." Echoing his message, his other half claimed that she's scared of leaving the flat, on the chance that she may encounter Atherton in the communal areas, asserting: "I am frightened to go to the front door to get mail."
Roy Atherton is fighting alcohol addiction (LancsLive/MEN)Anthony Parkinson, defending Atherton, revealed that his client is currently in a battle with alcoholism. The addict managed to make some progress while on an alcohol treatment program, but sadly relapsed on his birthday.
Drink-driver steals JCB digger to smash into family house in revenge attack
The Blackpudlian was placed under arrest and subsequently remanded in custody, later pleading guilt to harassment. The court heard that he had been previously warned over this and was on bail when he was arrested.
Judge Darren Preston described the offence as 'insidious', claiming that he left his neighbours terrified in their own home. He said: "You pleaded guilty to your frankly pathetic and childish behaviour towards your neighbours. In the summer of this year, you repeatedly attended their flat. You kicked the door, you threw things at the property, and you shouted threats and abuse. You did this despite being arrested several times.
"You made their lives miserable. You cannot behave like this in a civilised society. They must have been left feeling insecure and worried every time they came home, worried there would be trouble every day and every night. It is not acceptable for you to inflict this sort of misery on people."
Preston accepted that Atherton has gone through personal turmoil with alcoholism since his teenage years and decided to give him a punishment that may help him become a better man. Instead of imposing a sentence equivalent to Atherton's time on remand, meaning he'd be released imminently without support, he imposed a community order with 25 days rehabilitation activity requirements and a six-month alcohol treatment requirement. In addition, he set a 12-month restraining order, preventing him from making any direct or indirect contact with his neighbours.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
