Northern Ont. man faces 27 charges over disputes with his neighbours

Ontario Provincial Police have charged a 41-year-old man from Elliot Lake with 27 offences, including harassment and uttering threats. (OPP)

A 41-year-old from Elliot Lake has been charged with 27 offences, including harassment and uttering threats.

The man has a history of harassing his neighbours, with similar charges dating back to at least 2020.

Ontario Provincial Police Const. Phil Young said in an email the offences involve the man’s neighbours, which is a cul-de-sac.

“Constant yelling obscenities, threatening and causing them to fear for their safety,” Young said.

“Has it out for the neighbours for some reason.”

The first complaints came on Feb. 9, when the neighbours “reported a multitude of harassment and threats by a known person in a neighbourhood in Elliot Lake,” the OPP said in a news release Wednesday.

Similar charges in May 2020

“The complaints were the same as what transpired in May 2020, where the person was arrested and charged with 16 offences at that time.”

After further investigation by police, the man was arrested Wednesday and charged with 12 counts of criminal harassment, 11 counts of mischief (obstructing, interrupting or interfering with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property) and four counts of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

“The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in bail court in Blind River on Feb. 19,” police said.