Scampton: Man caused more than £8,000 worth of damage to neighbour’s home

Nathan Adams, 32, of Second Avenue, Scampton, avoided a prison sentence after a judge accepted he had acted out of character.

Adams admitted entering the home of his neighbour, Anthony Colledge, while he was out and smashing 22 windows with a claw hammer.

A wooden gate, fence, window blinds and television were also destroyed, with further damage caused to a sofa, flooring, table and dog cage.

Lincoln Crown Court heard the background to the criminal damage on 14th September last year was an ongoing neighbour dispute between Adams and Mr Colledge, who lived next door.

Mr Colledge was out playing football when Adams entered his property at about 3pm through two rear gates, the court was told.

Hannah Whelan, prosecuting, said: “Armed with a claw hammer he caused damage to the majority of the windows at the back of the house. There were 22 in total which were damaged.”

“Once inside the French doors and TV were smashed. The total value of the damage was £8,082.”

“During the incident Mr Adams hurt himself, causing cuts to his hands, and there was blood on a number of the windows and on the floor.”

Adams, who had no previous convictions, called the police himself and waited for them to arrive, Miss Whelan added.

During interview Adams admitted he had simply lost it and explained there had been a number of incidents going back over four years.

The court heard Mr Colledge did not want to make a victim impact statement and insurers had paid out for the damage caused to his home.

John McNally, mitigating, explained Adams finally lost his temper on the day of the offence when a stranger arrived at his home and made an inappropriate request concerning his wife.

Adams reported the matter to the police but then went next door.

“It snapped the self restraint this man had,” Mr McNally told the court.

Mr McNally said Adams had lost his job as a result of his actions and was now receiving benefits which do not cover his family’s mortgage.

“The effect of this has been calamitous,” Mr McNally added.

“He wants to get a job so they can move out.”

Adams, of Second Avenue, Scampton, admitted a charge of criminal damage on 14th September 2014.

He was sentenced to a 12 month community order with 12 months probation supervision.

No order was made for costs or compensation because of his limited means.

Passing sentence Recorder Nigel Daly told Adams: “On balance, I am prepared to accept what you say about the strains you were under.”

Recorder Daly added: “That is not to say I condone what you did on this occasion.”