The armed intruder was said to have burst into the couple’s house as they watched coverage of Wimbledon on the TV
Police at the scene on Calder Road in Everton(Image: Liverpool ECHO)
A man has denied threatening an elderly couple with a gun in their own home. Merseyside Police were called to the area of Mere Lane and Calder Road in Everton shortly after 8pm on July 7 this year after receiving reports that a male in possession of a firearm and a knife had entered a house and made threats towards the occupants.
The ECHO previously reported that Michael Duffy, 89, and wife Linda, 67, were watching coverage of Wimbledon on the television when the armed man burst into the address. Maurice Dodd, of Westminster Road in Kirkdale, has since been charged with a series of alleged offences in connection with the incident.
The 32-year-old was brought before Liverpool Crown Court this afternoon, Tuesday, in order to face these matters. Appearing via video link to HMP Altcourse wearing a grey Montirex tracksuit top, he spoke only to confirm his name before pleading not guilty to charges of possession of an imitation firearm, namely a silver pistol, with intent to cause fear of violence, possession of a bladed article in a public place, aggravated burglary and two counts of making threats to kill.
Dodd is now due to face a four-to-five day trial back before the same court in the week beginning on January 5 2026. Further remanding him into custody ahead of a pre-trial review on November 14, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC said: “I am going to adjourn this matter now towards the trial date in January.
“There is another hearing that is going to take place on the 14th of November. The purpose of that is to make sure that everything is in place for that trial. That concludes this hearing. You are now free to go with the officer.”
Mrs Duffy told the ECHO following the disturbance that the intruder had threatened to shoot her and her husband, adding: “He kept asking, ‘where is he, where is he hidden?’. He kept going through all the rooms and slamming the doors. He kept saying, ‘tell me where they are, or I am going to shoot you’.”
The hour-long ordeal was only said to have come to an end when Mr Duffy feigned a heart attack, secretly winking at his partner as she called 999 to indicate that he was not suffering a medical episode. The man was then said to have fled the scene upon the arrival of paramedics.
Mrs Duffy added: “You really don’t think anything like this would happen to you. I can’t stop shaking inside. I haven’t been able to sleep. You never think it is going to happen to you, you really don’t think it’s going to happen.”