A Dundee man has been fined after a doorbell “overheard” him threaten his next door neighbour.
Vito Giannico, 53, admitted making a threat toward his neighbour, Gerald Bannon, on Foggyley Place in April this year.
The two are involved in a long-running dispute, Dundee Sheriff Court was told.
Giannico, a long-distance lorry driver, was visited by a dog warden after Mr Bannon apparently made a complaint about his pet being off the lead, the court heard.
He said Mr Bannon was a “dead man”, a remark that was picked up and recorded by the Ring doorbell alarm.
Ring doorbells incorporate mobile phones, CCTV and sensors allowing users to see who is at their front door, even if they are out of the house.
‘Bannon, you are a dead man’
Fiscal depute Emma Farmer told the court: “The complainer and the accused have been neighbours for approximately three years.
“There has been a neighbour dispute between them.
“It appears to be about the accused’s dog walking off the lead.
“The complainer has a Ring doorbell.
“The dog warden had given a warning to the accused.
“The complainer received a notification on his phone from the Ring bell, which sent CCTV footage to him.
“The footage showed the accused say: ‘Bannon, you are a dead man’.
“The complainer phoned his wife from his work, who then contacted police.
“The accused was cautioned, charged and made no reply.”
‘Long-running’ dispute
Defence solicitor Kevin Hampton, in mitigation for Giannico, said: “This has been a long-running matter.
“Mr Giannico is equally frustrated.
“It was a silly remark made as he walked past.
“It was said in the heat of the moment.
“It was not directed at the complainer.”
Giannico was fined £120 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £10.
