Man, 29, threatened to stab pensioner who caught him fly-tipping

A 29-year-old man who threatened to stab an elderly woman after she caught him fly-tipping has been jailed for more than three years.

Jamie Allen was caught on a doorbell camera at an elderly couple’s home a few days after the pensioners had told him that they would report him to the council for dumping the contents of a wheelbarrow near their property.

On June 11, Allen, of Duston, was heading to his ex-partner’s house when he walked past the home and took exception to being “filmed” by the residential camera.

Footage released by Northamptonshire Police shows Allen approaching their front door, pulling off the doorbell cover and pouring a can of alcohol over it.

As the elderly couple open the door, he starts shouting at them before pulling a knife from his waistband.

The verbal abuse continues as the woman grabs Allen’s arm to stop him from causing further damage, and he threatens to stab her before spitting in her face and walking off. The attack occurred while Allen was wanted by police for controlling and coercive behaviour against his ex-partner.

He was later charged with two counts of threats to kill, assault by beating, possession of a knife blade in a public place, criminal damage to property and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour.

Allen pleaded guilty to five of the six charges at his first hearing, while one count of threats to kill was ordered to remain on file.

On September 4 at Northampton Crown Court, Allen received a 42-month custodial sentence and two restraining orders - an indefinite order protecting the elderly couple and a five-year order protecting his ex-partner. The orders prohibit him from contacting any of the three victims directly or indirectly.

DC McDaid from the Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit said Allen's behaviour was “completely unacceptable”.

“He used threats, intimidation, and violence to control and frighten those around him, leaving a lasting impact on the people he targeted, and I would like to thank them all for their support throughout this investigation.

“I would also like to commend the courage shown by Allen’s ex-partner who reported his controlling and coercive behaviour, as well as the bravery of the elderly couple who stood up to him despite being subjected to his threatening and aggressive behaviour.

“This was a team effort across the West LPA DAIU and Response departments, and I hope this sentence demonstrates that Northamptonshire Police takes reports of this nature seriously, and that we will work tirelessly together to bring offenders before the courts.”

The report has been released with the support of the victims in this case, following the investigation by the West LPA Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit (DAIU) and Response Team.