Man who left chainsaw and note saying 'murder' claims it was a practical joke

A man has appeared at Derry Magistrates' Court after leaving a chainsaw and a note saying 'murder' on a doorstep in what he claimed was a practical joke.

Alan Lukaas (48) of Foyle Park in Derry was arrested on March 14 and charged with making threats to kill and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place after it was reported that Lukaas had left a chainsaw and note containing phrases including 'murder' on the doorstep of a woman.

The woman was alone at the time but called her children and grandchildren who checked her Ring doorbell footage and saw Lukaas saying 'a chainsaw isn't good enough for you' and 'I'll cut his f***ing head off'.

The woman said she believed Lukaas was threatening to kill her son.

When police arrived, the chainsaw and note were seized and Lukaas was found and arrested.

While in custody, Lukaas gave a breath alcohol reading of 44mgs and when interviewed said that the note and chainsaw were a practical joke with his good friend, claiming the note was making reference to the Kray twins.

Police objected to bail as Lukaas has 51 previous convictions and an 'atrocious' bail history.

Defence Barrister Stephen Mooney said that he may have used the terms 'chainsaw' and 'Kray twins' in the past, but never in the same bail application.

He said that Lukaas had admitted the allegations and had been caught 'audibly and visibly' on the doorbell camera.

He added that Lukaas claimed that he and the son of the woman who's house it was shared an interest in the Kray twins and said that he would have gotten the joke.

Bail was refused and he will appear again on April 9.