Darren Mahoney, 53, of Potters Field, Gorleston, was sentenced to six months in prison at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Friday after being found guilty of affray.
The court also ordered that Mahoney be deprived of his crossbow, bolts and a zombie-style knife.
The incident took place on 21 September, when police sealed off Potters Field for about 18 hours following reports that Mahoney had threatened neighbours with the weapon.
Mahoney refused to attend his trial at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court in November and was convicted in his absence after declining to leave his prison cell.
In a statement, the court service said: “The offence(s) are so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.”
During the trial, a neighbour broke down in tears while giving evidence, describing how Mahoney pointed the crossbow at her husband’s head over a garden fence.
“We ducked down, because we had to, for our lives,” she told the court.
Police said Mahoney eventually left his home voluntarily and was arrested 18 hours after officers arrived at the scene.
A search of the property uncovered a loaded and cocked crossbow, multiple bolts with sharpened metal tips, and a magazine capable of firing several bolts.
Prosecutors told the court that during a police interview Mahoney claimed he often woke to find the couple “invading his thoughts and getting inside his head”.
He described himself as a “prepper” and said the crossbow was intended to allow his children to hunt for food in the event of a Russian invasion and chemical attack.
Mahoney denied pointing the weapon at his neighbours or making threats to kill them.
He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a zombie-style knife and was not legally represented during the trial after dismissing his defence solicitor.
