Man threatened step-father and neighbour in South Yorkshire after refusing to leave caravan

A man who threatened his step-father and a neighbour after he refused to leave a caravan has been given a community order.
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Sheffield Magistrates’ Court - sitting at Sheffield Crown Court - heard on May 6 how Adam Liam Chopra, aged 25, of Hill Top Avenue, Athersley North, Barnsley, admitted threatening his step-father and a neighbour and admitted damaging the caravan in Barnsley.

Alison Goldsmith, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was staying in a caravan on the drive of his mother and her partner.

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“He was staying there without permission and they were unsuccessful getting him out of the caravan and they took drastic measures to move the caravan.

Pictured is Sheffield Crown Court which has been hosting Sheffield Magistrates' Court cases during the coronavirus crisis.Pictured is Sheffield Crown Court which has been hosting Sheffield Magistrates' Court cases during the coronavirus crisis.
Pictured is Sheffield Crown Court which has been hosting Sheffield Magistrates' Court cases during the coronavirus crisis.

“He said if anyone came through the door of the caravan they would get it as the caravan started to be moved.”

Chopra, who caused damage to the inside of the caravan, saw the neighbour coming to help move the caravan and he threatened to cause damage to the neighbour’s house and car and threats were made to all.

The defendant pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour towards his step-father and admitted threatening to damage the neighbour’s house and car.

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He also admitted damaging the caravan which belonged to his step-father’s brother.

The defendant also admitted breaching a conditional discharge after it had previously been imposed for handling stolen goods.

Kevin Ripley, defending, said Chopra has been self-harming and has given himself a black eye and injured his right hand and he also dislocated his shoulder while he was in custody.

Mr Ripley added that Chopra has previously been attacked by two males and he has become very emotional and paranoid.

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Mr Ripley said: “He needs professional help and wants to be assisted and he is struggling with flashbacks to the attack.”

He added: “When the caravan was moving he started to panic. He behaved recklessly and he realised the threats would have put people in fear.”

Chopra was sentenced to a 12-month community order with an eight-week curfew and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

He was also given an 18-month restraining order to keep away from the neighbour. His conditional discharge was also extended by six-months.

Chopra must also pay a £95 victim surcharge.