Neighbour from hell

Man jailed over violent threats to family

THE average neighbourhood spat seems positively trivial next to Michael Graeme Rennie’s five month Wonga Beach rampage last year.

Over five months from August, Rennie, then 36, subjected his neighbours to torrents of abuse that peaked on January 19 when he used their mailbox to smash up their car in a fit of rage, threatening to kill the couple next door while their child cowered in a bedroom.

“He threatened to kill them; broke the mailbox and smashed every panel of their vehicle,” Crown prosecutor Eddie Coker told Cairns District Court.

He said the neighbours locked their terrified child in a bedroom in case Rennie tried to carry out his threat.

The court heard Rennie – who had since admitted he “behaved like a scumbag”, had abused the next-door family at least twice each week, calling the complainant male resident a “maggot”.

“He only stopped because he was arrested and has been in custody ever since,” Mr Coker said.

Rennie’s downward spiral began when he relapsed into using ice in 2016.

While in jail awaiting his sentence, Rennie had been the subject of violent assaults.

“His term in custody has been more onerous that it should have been,” defending barrister Josh Trevino said.

He said Rennie had used methylamphetamines since he was 15 but had not offended between 2006 and 2016.

“He accepts he behaved despicably,” Mr Trevino said.

Rennie pleaded guilty to unlawful stalking with violence, the serious assault of a police officer and a series of summary offences.

“I am very sorry for my actions and for wasting everyone’s time,” Rennie said.

Judge David Reid called Rennie’s long-term menacing of his neighbours “a serious example of stalking with violence”.

“It is not hard to conclude the family was terrified,” Judge Reid said.

He noted Rennie had taken pains to rehabilitate while in jail.

“My impression is that you have recognised the need to change and have taken steps to achieve that,” Judge Reid said.

He jailed Rennie for three years, including nine-and-ahalf months time served, and set a parole release date for January 18 next year.

Judge Reid also issued a restraining order preventing Rennie from returning to Wonga Beach.