A Northumberland man who shouted abuse at his neighbour as she installed a ring doorbell was later caught carrying a knife. David Ramshaw, 33, moved into his home in 2024 and repeatedly caused problems for the woman next door.
Abuse during doorbell installation
In September last year, the victim and her sister were putting up a ring doorbell when Ramshaw came home and approached them "aggressively," a court heard. He repeatedly shouted "You're a grass" and "I don't like you" in her face, leaving her frightened and intimidated, prosecutors said.
The offence happened on September 13 last year and was reported to police at the time.
Arrest and knife confession
A few months later, Ramshaw was arrested as he walked down a street in Amble. When told he was going to be searched, he confessed to having a lock knife in his pocket.
Prosecutor Georgia Smith said: "On a separate occasion, on February 4 this year, police located the defendant on Percy Street. The defendant was arrested for unrelated matters and, when searched, he told officers that he was in possession of a small lock knife, which was in his trouser pocket."
Ramshaw, of Henderson Street, Amble, pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article and a public order offence at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court. The court heard he had 21 offences on his record, including one for possessing a weapon in 2018.
Sentence and restraining order
Paul Dunn, defending, said Ramshaw suffered with serious mental health issues, ADHD and autism and had experienced a traumatic upbringing. Mr Dunn added: "He had been laying some carpet for a friend and was returning home. He'd forgotten the knife was in his pocket."
Magistrates gave Ramshaw a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and made him subject to a restraining order banning him from contacting his neighbour for six months.
