A disabled man has said he is scared in his own home after receiving multiple threats from a neighbour. Richard Loader claims he received a death threat from one of his neighbours last week, and as a result spent two nights sleeping on a camp bed in a friend’s shop.
Mr Loader, who has lived in his council flat in Bristol for eight years, said he didn’t have any problems until his new neighbour moved in this year. “This guy is extremely violent, he’s threatened me on numerous occasions just because he can hear me walking to the toilet at night,” he told Bristol Live.
He said he confronted his neighbour last week after learning about his previous convictions. Mr Loader claimed that he said to the man, ‘I know what you did’ and in return received what he took as a death threat.
The 58-year-old has cerebellar ataxia, a brain disease that affects balance, and causes him to fall over a lot. He also has peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage which severely affects his mobility at times.
Speaking about the incident last week, her said: “When he had a go at me again, I made it quite clear that I was scared of him. I’m scared to death because as far as I’m concerned what he said to me was a death threat. I was coming home after doing some shopping and he was very intimidating, coming right up in my face.
“I couldn’t even get back to my flat, he blocked my path. He was doing some work and had a drill in his hand. I wasn’t going to push past him.”
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After the incident he spent two nights on a camp bed inside his friend’s shop, but has since returned home and is trying to avoid the neighbour. Mr Loader, who is disabled and relies on a walking stick, has said he does not feel protected by the police or adequately assisted by the council.
Mr Loader called 999 at the time but said that nobody came to visit, He has since reported the incidents to the police who have said they are planning to go and speak to him. Mr Loader said he had previously been in contact with theBristol City Council team who spoke to the neighbour prior to the most recent threat.
Although the council has taken action, Mr Loader said he does not feel it has been helpful and described the police response as ‘useless’.
He added: “I’ve been in the council offices at Temple Street. They offered no help, even though I received a threat to my life. I just cannot believe that the police, after a 999 call, haven’t seen me yet, especially as my life could be in danger.
“I have to use the loo at night because of my health. He even complained about the neighbour’s baby crying but he is so nasty and aggressive about it.”
Bristol City Council and Avon and Somerset Police have been approached for comment.