‘Neighbour from hell’ jailed after gun threat

46-year-old also said he would set fire to home

A NIGHTMARE neighbour has been jailed after threats to set fire to a family’s home and ‘get machine guns’ following complaints made against him.

A long-suffering couple and their granddaughter were ‘at their wits’ end’ after having to put up with all-night shouting and banging on walls from Dairy Close, Leek neighbour Stuart Dempsey.

Stoke-on-trent Crown Court heard they had previously been in touch with the authorities over his behaviour.

In October 2018, Dempsey armed himself with an axe and a visitor produced a lump hammer.

The ‘friend’ suffered gashes after reportedly being hit with the axe.

NIGHTMARE neighbour Stuart Dempsey threatened to set fire to a family’s home and ‘get machine guns’ after they complained about him.

The incident marked the culmination of three years’ worth of problems for those living next door to him in Dairy Close, Leek.

The long-suffering couple and their granddaughter were ‘at their wits’ end’ after having to put up with his all-night shouting and banging on walls.

Stoke-on-trent Crown Court heard they had previously been in touch with the authorities over his behaviour.

Matters ‘ came to a head’ in late October 2018, when 46-year-old Dempsey received a visit from someone who he claimed was collecting money from him.

Prosecutor John Richards said the pair started shouting and screaming. The other man – who would later describe Dempsey as a ‘good friend’ – threw a ‘grapefruit-sized’ stone at his window.

The defendant armed himself with an axe, and his opponent produced a lump hammer. They began scuffling in the street. The friend suffered gashes after reportedly being hit with the axe.

Police arrived and arrested the pair. In interview, Dempsey stated that he had taken monkey dust before the incident.

Several neighbours also spoke to the police, including the family who lived next door.

After he was released from the police station, Dempsey returned home and started banging and shouting. He then threatened revenge on the family for ‘making complaints’.

Dempsey said he would burn their property, shouting ‘fire, fire, fire’.

He added: “I know people in London and people can get machine guns really easily.”

In a victim personal statement, referred to in court, the couple’s adult granddaughter said: “I feel we are trapped in the home. I don’t want to leave my grandparents on their own because I’m scared of what will happen.

“If he sees the police go to our door, it gives him a reason to start on us.”

Dempsey, who has since moved to Northfield Drive, Biddulph, pleaded guilty to a section four public order offence and threatening to cause criminal damage.

He also admitted a charge of possession of heroin with intent to supply.

The court was told the drugs matter related to him acting as a courier in June 2018. He had agreed to deliver 15 wraps of heroin in return for getting one wrap free for himself. Police stopped him in a Stoke-on-trent alleyway and found a knotted plastic bag, which contained several other bags. There were 4.71 grams of heroin in total, with an estimated street value of between £320 and £480.

Barry White, mitigating, said Dempsey’s life started to ‘ crumble’ after his partner left him and he turned to drink and drugs to cope. “He was homeless for 12 to 18 months. Everything was falling apart,” added Mr White.

The court was told Dempsey has since come off drugs.

Jailing him for a total of 45 months, Judge Paul Glenn described his behaviour as ‘truly unpleasant and disgraceful’.

He also imposed a restraining order for an indefinite period, banning Dempsey from having any contact with his former next door neighbours.