David Duffy, 26, receives community order for threatening workmen with a machete and crossbow after verbal abuse.
Duffy, who is 26, admitted to acting abusively. It took place on Fergushill Road. The court heard about the incident.
The workmen saw Duffy in his front garden. He wore a stab-proof vest and tracksuit bottoms. He was drinking Buckfast from a bottle. He started yelling at them for no clear reason.
Duffy threatened he would “chop them up”. He chucked the Buckfast bottle toward them. The bottle didn’t hit anywhere close to the workmen. Then, Duffy went back inside his house.
He soon returned with a machete. The machete was about the size of a baseball bat. He started shouting and swearing again. He even challenged them to a fight.
They ignored him hoping he’d stop. Duffy returned with a crossbow. He pointed the black crossbow at the workmen. However, Duffy stayed inside his garden at all times.
A neighbor heard the commotion. They called the police. Officers arrived and arrested Duffy inside. Duffy’s lawyer said he had a community payback order.
He was doing well with it. The court appearance happened earlier. At a recent hearing on February 21st, he was doing well. He completed most of his unpaid work.
His lawyer said he finished rehab. Things were positive. He had a curfew since August and wanted closure. Sheriff Bisset acknowledged that he had changed his life. Duffy must do 135 hours of unpaid work. He has six months to finish.