A man who threatened to burn his landlord out of his home after claiming he emptied a bin containing a stash of £50,000 has been put behind bars.
Keith Doddy, with an address of Stockmans Lane, Belfast, appeared before Newry Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, via videolink from Maghaberry Prison, charged with making threats to kill, threats to damage property, and possession of a Class C controlled drug.
The court heard how the 33-year-old had been renting a property in Belfast off his Newry-based landlord. However, when Belfast Council failed to empty an overflowing bin, the landlord – the victim – took it upon himself to empty the bin.
However, on October 26, last year, Doddy travelled to Newry with a number of other men, confronting the landlord, claiming he had stashed £50,000 in cash in the bin and that “he needed it back right now or there’d be serious trouble”.
Doddy threatened to kill the landlord, further stating that he would burn his house down with his family inside. He also threatened to burn his other property down.
Doddy’s behaviour was described as “erratic and unpredictable” as he kicked out at the victim’s door several times, which was caught on the doorbell camera – clearly identifying Doddy in the process.
Doddy was arrested and a Class C drug – diazepam – was found on his possession.
District Judge Magill then questioned: “I take it there was not £50,000 in the bin? That record is not the record of a major crime lord.”
To which Doddy’s defence replied: “I think that’s a fair assessment….There was money that went missing, legitimately owned by Mr Doddy, and he did take issue with the landlord….how he went about that grievance was entirely improper and is a source of regret for him.”
Judge Magill said: “This is serious. You went to the man’s house. You threatened him at his house. No other people were arrested. There were others there, so he’s the only one who’s going to carry the can for this by the sound of things.
“In all the circumstances it is worthy of a custodial sentence, but you’ve pleaded guilty. Had you contested this matter, you would have been found guilty and the appropriate sentence would have been six months but you pleaded guilty so the sentence will be three months.”
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