Gorleston man jailed after 18-hour stand-off over crossbow threats
Darren Mahoney sentenced to six months in prison
A 53-year-old man from Gorleston has been jailed for six months following an 18-hour stand-off with police after he threatened his neighbour with a crossbow.
Darren Mahoney, of Potters Field, appeared at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court on 23rd January 2026, where he was also ordered to pay £754 in fines and costs and given a restraining order.
Mahoney had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a zombie-style knife in a private place and was found guilty of affray after being tried in his absence.
The incident occurred on 21st September 2025 when police were called to Potters Field at 7.27am after Mahoney pointed a crossbow at his neighbour and threatened to kill them during a dispute over noise.
Armed officers responded to the scene, but Mahoney refused to leave his property, resulting in an 18-hour standoff. He eventually surrendered to police negotiators at 1.36am on 22nd September and was arrested.
During a search of Mahoney’s home, officers seized weapons including a crossbow, two knives, a machete, three airguns, a box of sharp bolt tips, and suspected Molotov cocktails.
On Friday, Mahoney was sentenced to six months in prison and received additional penalties of fines, costs, and a restraining order.