Sunderland man threatens to burn down lesbians’ home with kids inside
By Will Stroude
A man in Sunderland has been found guilty of homophobically abusing and threatening a lesbian former couple and their family.
Barry Sharkey launched a horrific tirade against the pair while they were driving through Albany, Washington, in October last year, Sunderland magistrates court has heard.
The 36-year-old stood in front of the car and threatened to burn the driver’s house down with her children inside.
The woman’s 12-year-old daughter was sat in the car at the time, the Sunderland Echo reports.
Prosecutor John McGlone said Sharkey’s ex-partner was involved in a “dispute” with one of the victims, adding: “She was driving slowly when Sharkey appeared in front of the car and put both his hands on the bonnet.”
After shouting abuse and calling her fat, he threatened: “I’m going to get my mates and your home is going up with your kids in it.”
Mr McGlone told the judge: “She was shocked and shaken by the homophobic comments, especially as her 12-year-old daughter was in the car.”
He added: “This is a matter of homophobic crime.”
The driver of the car said in a victim statement that she had suffered panic attacks since. “The incident has affected me more as my daughter was in the car,” she said.
He then spouted homophobic abuse while the woman’s 12-year-old daughter was inside the car.
Mr Sharkey denied threatening behaviour, but was found guilty and sentenced to a community order with a three-month tagged curfew between 10pm and 6am after failing to turn up for the trial.
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