Man threatened to kill housemate during argument in Colne

Robert O'Connell, 39, was living in a house of multiple occupation (HMO) in Colne at the time of the offence on March 15, 2025.

O'Connell and a friend confronted the victim outside his bedroom and were abusing him and the victim's girlfriend.

Celia Pritchard, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said the victim became "irate" and threatened to "spark out" the victim.

Preston Crown Court (Image: Anthony Moss)

Despite the victim urging O'Connell to calm down, he did not and told the victim: "I'll smash your head in, you're nothing but a baghead.

"I'll put you on your f*****g arse, I will break your neck."

He further said: "You'll be dead, mate," and "he needs it knocking into him; he's a dead man walking."

Ms Pritchard said O'Connell's anger stemmed from his feeling that the victim and his girlfriend were not doing enough around the house.

Police were called and found O'Connell downstairs and formed the view that he was intoxicated.

He was arrested and provided a prepared statement.

O'Connell, now of Cog Lane, Burnley, pleaded guilty to one count of making threats to kill.

He has 18 previous convictions for 39 offences.

Kristian Cavanagh, mitigating, asked the judge to follow the recommendation in the pre-sentence report of imposing a suspended sentence.

He said O'Connell had a long-standing diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and that a mental health treatment requirement would decrease the likelihood of similar offending in the future.

Recorder Fiona Clancy said the victim was left "shaken and anxious" and that he was left "feeling unsafe in daily life."

The judge sentenced O'Connell to 21 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months. He must complete a six-month mental health treatment requirement and 15 rehabilitation days.