East Gosford: Ross James Copeland threatened with jail over foul-mouthed tirade on neighbour

A magistrate has admonished a retired pensioner’s “disgraceful” language after a foul-mouthed spray at a neighbour which was sparked by allegedly stolen “barbecue food”, a court has heard.

A magistrate has chided a retired pensioner to “review your attitudes” before “spending your late 50s in jail” after the man gave a female neighbour a seemingly unprovoked, disgraceful, spray.

Ross James Copeland, of East Gosford, faced Gosford Local Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of intimidating a neighbour, intending to cause fear.

The court heard the guilty plea was entered on December 10 last year on the first day of the 56-year-old’s hearing.

An agreed set of facts states Copeland was cooking a barbecue at his Bayview Ave home on May 2, last year, when he had to duck out.

Ross James Copeland, 56, of East Gosford, leaving Gosford Local Court. Picture: NewsLocal

“Upon returning (he) believed that the victim’s family had taken his barbecue food, which they had not, and as a result have been having ongoing issues since this day,” the facts state.

“Some of these, but not all, have been reported to the police.”

Two weeks later Copeland was having a fire in his backyard when he saw his female neighbour hanging out washing.

The facts state he squirted a flammable liquid on the fire which “caused a plume of smoke to pour into the victim’s yard” and said in a sarcastic voice “sorry about my smokey fire you bitch”.

“After this the accused began to go into a rant,” the facts state.

Copeland swore repeatedly at the victim telling her he would “churn you up you bitch”, “you f’n piece of sh*t” and “I’ll have you f’n skinned and gutted” among a plethora of vile insults and threats.

Copeland thought his neighbours had stolen some food from his barbecue a couple of weeks earlier. (File image)

When police arrived he was “belligerent and argumentative” to officers who he initially refused to let in to his home and eventually had to be handcuffed to ensure their safety.

After police warned him they had activated body worn footage he continued to call out threats to the victim including “You will pay. You will pay big time” and “You’ll pay neighbours, I’m coming after you.”

He was taken to Gosford Police Station but refused to be interviewed.

Magistrate Michael Antrum said such was the level of foul language directed at the victim, who had two young children and an elderly mother present at the home, he was considering whether the threshold of a full time custodial sentence had been crossed.

Copeland leaving court where he was convicted of intimidating a neighbour and sentenced to a community service order. Picture: NewsLocal

“The facts Mr Copeland, are not a very pleasant read,” he said.

“Mr Copeland, that language in any place is disgraceful.”

Magistrate Antrum said the language was “way beyond the pale” and warned Copeland to “review your attitudes” before “spending your late 50s in jail”.

“This conduct is unacceptable and you’re going to have to watch your `Ps’ and `Qs’ from now on,” he said.

Magistrate Antrum convicted Copeland and put him on a community corrections order for two years, including that he abstain from alcohol and perform 120 hours of community service.