Abuse, threats and shooting stems from Clayton man’s misconception his neighbours were ISIS terrorists

A CLAYTON man waged war on his neighbours because he believed they were part of worldwide terror network ISIS, a court has heard.

A CLAYTON man waged war on his neighbours because he believed they were part of worldwide terror network ISIS, a court has heard.

David Marchese, 44, falsely thought his Clayton neighbours belonged to the terrorist group, so shot at their door, threatened them with an axe, and verbally abused them.

He pleaded guilty to a plethora of weapons and assault charges at Moorabbin Magistrates Court yesterday.

The trouble started around 9pm on June 23 last year, when Marchese’s victims heard someone tapping on their door, the court heard.

They went to investigate and saw a man in the neighbouring rear yard but, but couldn’t see what he was doing in the dark.

BY GEORGE THAT’S UGLY: NEIGHBOUR WANTS CHEF’S GYM TO GO

TERROR ACCUSED TO VICTIM: ‘I’M SO SORRY’

HERITAGE PLAN TEARS NEIGHBOURS APART

But next morning, they found shotgun pellets scattered near their door.

They called police, and when officers went to Marchese’s house they found an air rifle and ammunition.

He said the rifle had belonged to his late uncle, and he sometimes used it to shoot targets in his own yard.

Then on November 15 around 2pm, some friends were visiting the victims’ house when an irate Marchese started racially abusing them.

He menacingly waved a brick at them, saying he was going to “smash their heads in” and they retreated quickly inside, the court heard.

Then as they departed a few hours later, Marchese chased their vehicle down the driveway with an axe.

He told police he was protecting himself as the neighbours had “claimed to be ISIS” and were “threatening to behead him”.

Police concluded the neighbours, and their friends, were not members of ISIS.

Marchese’s defence lawyer said his client alleged he had been threatened on several occasions and “his actions were generated by fear for his safety”.

Magistrate Charles Tan said Marchese’s behaviour would have been terrifying.

“Firing an air rifle into someone’s door is offending of a very serious nature,” Mr Tan said.

Marchese was placed on an 18-month community corrections order, must do 180 hours of unpaid work and attend anger management counselling.