Drunk neighbour threatened to kill councillor and his wife — (The Harborough Mail)

A MAN threatened to cut the throat of a Harborough district councillor after getting extremely drunk during a house party, a court heard.

Gregory Maxwell, of The Green, Great Bowden, threw stones at the home of his neighbour, Cllr Alistair Swatridge, smashing windows and removing roof slates before saying he would kill him, his wife and even their pet dog if they contacted police.Maxwell (51) appeared at Harborough Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday when he pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress and two counts of criminal damage.

John Ruskin, prosecuting, said that on Friday, August 24, Mr Swatridge and his wife were at home when they heard a banging noise coming from the roof of their house.

Mr Swatridge looked out of the window to find Maxwell throwing stones and shouting that he would burn his house down and kill him, his wife and pet dog if they didn’t leave the village.

Mr Ruskin said Maxwell also threatened to cut Mr Swatridge’s throat if he contacted the police.

However the police were called and Maxwell was arrested.

Tamara Romefort, for Maxwell, said that before the party, her client, wanting to show consideration for his neighbour, had posted a note to Mr Swatridge apologising for any noise it might create.

But she said during the party, Maxwell, who is of previous good character, mixed alcohol with anti-depressant drugs which he was taking to cope with the recent break-up of his marriage, and this led to him throwing stones at Mr Swatridge’s house.

She added that Maxwell could not remember what he said to Mr Swatridge but that he was very sorry and that he wants to pay for the damage caused once court proceedings are complete.

Magistrates told him they were considering a ‘medium to low’ community punishment and adjourned the case until today (Thursday) for probation reports to be done.