Neighbour filmed slashing family pool because he hated the sound of kids playing in it
AN OUTRAGED ex aircraft engineer was filmed slicing a hole into his neighbour’s family pool - because he hated the sound of children playing in it.
Furious Stephen Gee, 63, of Puxey, North Dorset, waited until it was dark to sneak over to Jason Little’s home where he slashed a hole in the metal wall, causing 4,000 litres of water to pour out and flood the garden.
When Mr Little - a 46-year-old Military Cross awarded army officer - and his wife Avril, came home to discover their flooded garden and empty pool, he decided to check his CCTV footage to investigate.
He was shocked to see his neighbour wearing a hood, sneaking up his garden path and making his way towards their pool.
Mr Gee was then captured vanishing behind the pool for 16 seconds before re-emerging and heading back to his own property.
The attack came after a build up of a four-year row between the neighbours, after Mr Gee “took offence” to the sound of Mr Little’s children playing in the pool, Poole Magistrates’ Court heard.
His account is not credible or believable and I am satisfied he entered the land and caused damage to the pool, causing water to escape
Mr Little came home to find a 10cm by 4cm hole punctured into his pool.
Mr Gee attempted to claim the swimming pool wasn’t looked after well and the slash mark was old and most likely caused by a gardener.
But District judge Stephen Nicholls found the 63-year-old guilty of criminal damage.
Mr Gee received a fine of £500, a five-year restraining order and was ordered to fork up £250 compensation and £650 in prosecution costs.
Mr Nicholls said: “His account is not credible or believable and I am satisfied he entered the land and caused damage to the pool, causing water to escape."