A quick-thinking pensioner feigned a heart attack to end a terrifying ordeal after a man burst into his bungalow armed with a fake gun and a knife, demanding: "Where are they? If you don't tell me, I'll shoot you."
Cocaine-fuelled Maurice Dodd, 33, of Westminster Road in Kirkdale, was jailed for five years at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday after admitting 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.
Intruder armed with fake gun and knife
The court heard that Merseyside Police received multiple 999 calls from members of the public describing a young man in his underwear pointing a handgun at others near Mere Lane Neighbourhood Health Centre in Everton on the evening of July 7 2025. Armed officers attended, and CCTV showed Dodd pointing the imitation gun at passing cars.
Prosecutor Eric Lamb described how Dodd then entered the home of Michael and Linda Duffy on nearby Calder Road. The couple, then aged 89 and 67, heard a bang at the back door and rustling in the kitchen before their living room door burst open. Dodd appeared with the imitation pistol and a knife taken from the Duffys' kitchen, demanding: "Where are they? If you don't tell me, I'll shoot you. Don't move or I'll shoot you."
The couple were left "not surprisingly, terrified" but had the presence of mind to try to calm Dodd as he looked in and out of rooms, as if searching for somebody. The episode lasted around 30 to 40 minutes. Mr Duffy, who has since died at age 90, attempted to distract Dodd by saying he needed the toilet before slumping against a wall and feigning a heart attack.
Victim's quick-thinking ploy
Dodd allowed his victims to call 999 but would not let them answer the door when an ambulance arrived. He eventually left via the rear of the property, wiping door handles clean and telling the Duffys: "Don't tell them where I am."
Dodd, who has 11 previous convictions for 19 offences, was later seen in a neighbouring garden armed with two pairs of scissors, asking the occupant if he could come in or if they would give him a knife. Saliva samples taken after his arrest tested positive for cocaine.
Daniel Travers, defending, said Dodd acknowledged his behaviour had a significant impact on the Duffys, who "in no way deserved to be frightened in their home by his actions." He added: "Through me, he wants the court to appreciate that he understands it. He is remorseful and apologetic for it."
Travers noted this was Dodd's first custodial sentence, and that he had difficulties relating to drug abuse. He said Dodd's family had taken him to the GP on several occasions, and he was referred to the mental health team but never received the treatment he is now receiving in custody. "Although there have been episodes of blackouts in custody, having now had an increased dose of his anti-psychotic medication, he seems stable," Travers said. "His desire is to maintain the medication he is on and not use drugs again."
Judge: 'Utterly terrifying'
Sentencing, Judge Dennis Watson KC said: "On the evening of the 7th of July last year, you were roaming the area near the health centre just south of Stanley Park in Everton. You were dressed in shorts or underwear, and you had a handgun. At times, you are seen to raise the gun and point it at passing traffic. You were behaving erratically, and, whenever you raised the gun, it was extremely alarming."
The judge added: "Without knowing Michael and Linda Duffy, you went into their home. He was 89. You threatened both of them with not only the gun but a knife that you had picked up from the house. 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."
Judge Watson noted: "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."
Dodd appeared 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.
