Residents have been left terrified – with some even moving away – after a violent neighbour moved into their quiet suburban street.
Craig Merryman moved into the Gold Coast region of Ashmore in 2013 only to have the man next-door, Lester Sutherland, immediately declare if he ‘had any problems he’d f***ing kill him’.
It was a startling introduction to the street Mr Merryman thought, but things have only escalated since then.
It was a startling introduction to the street Mr Merryman thought, but things have only escalated since then (Mr Sutherland pictured)
‘It’s abuse, it’s derogatory comments about my family… This guy is out to get me out of my own home,’ Mr Merryman told A Current Affair.
‘His strategy is to bully and intimidate. He’s crazy.’
When the Channel Nine cameras turned on Mr Sutherland in the street he was quick to inform them if they continued filming he would ‘bite their f***ing faces off’.
He went so far as to shove reporter Chris Allen into the middle of the road and demand he delete all of ‘the tapes,’ before placing him in a makeshift chokehold.
Craig Merryman (pictured) moved into the Gold Coast region of Ashmore in 2013
Despite the threats he did say Mr Merryman’s accusations were incorrect and it was actually his neighbour who was a ‘psychopathic Christian f***wit and a piece of s***’
Despite the threats he did say Mr Merryman’s accusations were incorrect and it was actually his neighbour who was a ‘psychopathic Christian f***wit and a piece of s***.’
Earlier this year Mr Sutherland was charged with common assault, committing public nuisance and obstructing police, all in relation to his neighbourhood taunts.
In 2015 he was fined for possessing a dangerous drug.
Mr Merryman began filming his neighbours antics, which included verbal threats and writing swear words in graffiti on his own wall, in a bid to have him removed from the street.
Craig Moore sold up four years and said Mr Sutherland (pictured) was a ‘contributing factor’
So far it has only been other residents walking away from their homes.
Craig Moore sold up four years and said Mr Sutherland was a ‘contributing factor.’
‘He changed the whole neighbourhood. People were afraid to wander out into the street,’ Mr Moore said.
While there doesn’t seem to be a resolution in sight, Mr Merryman said he refuses to move away because he shouldn’t have to displace his family.