Chelmsford Man Jailed For Machete Threat Against Woman Neighbour

An Essex man, Shane Parmenter, threatened his neighbor. He held a machete during an argument about an electricity box. Parmenter got almost two years in jail, due to his long criminal history with over 90 offences.

The incident occurred last September. Parmenter, 37, who lives in Chelmsford, verbally abused and threatened the woman, who now fears being home alone. He went to her home around 11 pm and asked for the electrics cupboard key.

Parmenter wanted to put something inside, said Sarah Okane, and then showed the machete which had a black plastic cover. When the woman said she’d be in bed, this made Parmenter angry and violent.

He called her names and threatened violence, saying he’d strangle her and tried to force his way inside. She managed to push him out, although he still held the knife at this time before eventually leaving.

Police soon arrived and found the machete in the cupboard. They arrested Parmenter later, who initially denied the threats and weapon, but later admitted to making a death threat.

The victim’s anxiety and depression increased greatly following the incident. She now takes medication and goes to counselling as she does not feel safe alone, leading her son to move in to support her.

Parmenter has 43 convictions from 94 crimes, including violence and dishonesty. He was also bitten by a spider in 2023, said Ms. Okane.

According to Barry Gilbert, Parmenter just lost his temper and didn’t plan the threats, nor did he mean to do it. The lawyer added that he regrets upsetting his neighbor.

The judge called his actions “terrifying” and sentenced Parmenter to 20 months in jail. The judge also issued a restraining order, stipulating that he cannot contact the victim for five years.