An 89-year-old Everton pensioner feigned a heart attack to end a terrifying ordeal after an armed intruder stormed into his bungalow brandishing a replica weapon and threatened: "Where are they? If you don't tell me, I'll shoot you."
Cocaine-fuelled Maurice Dodd, 33, had been spotted aiming the imitation firearm at passing vehicles near a health centre while dressed only in his underwear. He has since vowed to turn his back on drugs.
Armed police response
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Monday that Merseyside Police received multiple 999 calls from members of the public "describing a young man in his underwear pointing a handgun" at people near Mere Lane Neighbourhood Health Centre in Everton on the evening of 7 July 2025. Armed officers rushed to the scene, with Dodd, of Westminster Road in Kirkdale, also captured on CCTV "pointing the imitation gun at passing cars".
Prosecutor Eric Lamb detailed how the 33-year-old then forced his way into the home of Michael and Linda Duffy, aged 89 and 67 respectively, on nearby Calder Road, stating: "The couple heard a bang at the back door and rustling in the kitchen. Then, their living room door burst open with the defendant appearing with the imitation pistol in his hand and a knife in his right hand."
Quick-thinking ploy
Having seized the knife from the Duffys' own kitchen, Dodd proceeded to threaten: "Where are they? If you don't tell me, I'll shoot you. Don't move or I'll shoot you." The husband and wife were reportedly left "not surprisingly, terrified" by the ordeal, though they "had the presence of mind" to try calming Dodd down as he "looked in and out of rooms of the property, as if looking for somebody".
During the incident, which lasted approximately 30 to 40 minutes, Mr Duffy, who has since passed away aged 90, attempted to distract the armed intruder by saying he needed the toilet before "slumping against the wall and feigning a heart attack". Dodd permitted his victims to dial 999 following this, but refused to allow them to answer when an ambulance turned up. He ultimately fled through the back of the house while wiping down door handles and instructing the Duffys: "Don't tell them where I am."
Sentence and remorse
Dodd, who has 11 prior convictions for 19 offences, was later spotted in an adjacent garden carrying two pairs of scissors, where he asked the resident "if he could come in, or if they would give him a knife". Saliva samples obtained after his arrest subsequently tested positive for cocaine.
Daniel Travers, defending, told the court: "He fully acknowledges that his behaviour that day had a significant impact on Mr and Mrs Duffy, who in no way deserved to be frightened in their home by his actions. Through me, he wants the court to appreciate that he understands it. He is remorseful and apologetic for it."
Dodd admitted possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, two counts of making threats to kill and possession of a bladed article in a public place. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a grey Berghaus tracksuit top, he was jailed for five years and handed a seven-year restraining order.
Sentencing, Judge Dennis Watson KC said: "I have no doubt that it was utterly terrifying. They tried to reason with you, in spite of their panic and fear, but you were not for listening, because you were under the influence of drugs, demanding to know where somebody was and holding this pistol, which, for all the world, Michael and Linda Duffy thought was real. Of course, the knife was real."
The judge added: "By a very clever and quick thinking ploy, Michael Duffy feigned a heart attack. You just about felt enough sympathy to allow an ambulance to be called, although you did not let the ambulance in until you left, wiping down the door with a tea towel."
