Man jailed for more than three years and issued with two restraining orders

A 29-year-old man who was caught on a doorbell camera making threats to kill an elderly woman has been jailed for more than three years and issued with two restraining orders.

The camera was at the home of an elderly couple, who challenged him a few days earlier and told him that they would report him to the council after witnessing him dump the contents of a wheelbarrow near their property.

On June 11, 2026, Jamie Allen was en route to his ex-partner’s house after issuing threats to kill her, when he took exception to being “filmed” as he walked past the residential camera near to his home in Duston.

Allen approached the front door, pulled off the doorbell cover, and poured a can of alcohol over it. When the couple opened the door, he started shouting at them before producing a knife from his waistband.

He continued to be verbally abusive and aggressive towards the couple and when the woman grabbed his arm to stop him causing more damage, he threatened to stab her before spitting in her face and walking off.

Unbeknown to Allen, he was already wanted by Northamptonshire Police after his ex-partner had bravely spoken to officers about his controlling and coercive behaviour throughout their relationship earlier this year.

Allen went on to be charged with two counts of threats to kill, one count of assault by beating, possession of a knife blade in a public place, criminal damage to property under the value of £5,000 and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour.

He was remanded in custody by magistrates who committed his case to the county’s crown court for trial, where he pleaded guilty to five of the six counts at his first hearing. One count of threats to kill was ordered to remain on file.

On September 4, Allen, of Gifford Court, Limehurst Square, Duston, returned to Northampton Crown Court where he received a 42-month custodial sentence and two restraining orders.

He received an indefinite restraining order in relation to the elderly couple and a five-year restraining order in connection with his ex-partner, which prohibited him from contacting all three parties directly or indirectly.

The investigation was a team-effort between the West LPA Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit (DAIU) and Response Team led by Detective Constable Rachael McDaid and PC Charis Halford.

Following the sentence hearing, DC McDaid from the Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit said: “Jamie Allen's behaviour towards both the elderly couple and his ex-partner was completely unacceptable.

“He used threats, intimidation, and violence to control and frighten those around him, leaving a lasting impact on the people he targeted, and I would like to thank them all for their support throughout this investigation.

“I would also like to commend the courage shown by Allen’s ex-partner who reported his controlling and coercive behaviour, as well as the bravery of the elderly couple who stood up to him despite being subjected to his threatening and aggressive behaviour.

“This was a team effort across the West LPA DAIU and Response departments, and I hope this sentence demonstrates that Northamptonshire Police takes reports of this nature seriously, and that we will work tirelessly together to bring offenders before the courts.”

This report and custody image have been released with the support of the victims in this case.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this report, find advice and support – including how to make a report – here.

Report non-emergency crime and information via 101 or online at www.northants.police.uk. In an emergency, always call 999.

Find out more about making an application under Clare’s Law here.