Phillip John Green, Mackay, in court for threatening neighbours

A man has faced court after going from door to door on a Macleay Island street, threatening to kill his neighbours with a machete.

Macleay Island man Philip John Green, 42, has faced court after going from door to door on a Macleay Island street, threatening to kill his neighbours with a machete.

Macleay Island residents were left terrified after a man with a machete went from door to door, threatening to kill them.

Phillip John Green, 42, pleaded guilty in Cleveland Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 17, to one count of making threats.

The court heard that Green was at his previous home on Macleay Island on June 17 when police received an emergency call.

“The defendant made threats to kill his neighbour and his dog,” police prosecutor Sergeant Duncan Blackburn said.

“He (the neighbour) told authorities at the time the defendant had a machete.

“There were complaints that he was antagonising the community on the street.

“He went up and down the street making threats to the community saying he’ll kill them.”

Sergeant Blackburn said the community was fearful at the time.

“It’s very serious and certainly could have resulted in a very dire situation,” he said.

“This type of behaviour is just not acceptable at all.

“You just cannot do this.”

Green’s lawyer, Jim Coburn, said his client was dealing with a substance abuse problem at the time.

“Unfortunately after dealing with a heroin addiction, he replaced one addiction with another (now) he’s an alcoholic,” Mr Coburn said.

“That’s no excuse, but it somewhat explains his bizarre behaviour.”

Mr Coburn said his client’s threats were empty and he used no actual violence.

“He did not go past the point of threats,” Mr Coburn said.

“He was simply making hollow threats.

“There’s just bad blood within the street in general.”

Green said he intended to move to Mackay when he was released.

“I want a new start, I want to get out of Brisbane,” Green said.

“I want to straighten out my life.”

Magistrate Deborah Vasta asked Green if he was proud of his life.

“You’re 42 years of age and you have a 12-page criminal history,” Ms Vasta said.

“If you were to die tomorrow and you think back on your life, what would you be proud of?”

Green’s 154 days spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time served.

He was given immediate parole release.

Convictions were recorded.