A Masterton man who released the handbrake from his landlord's son's car and intentionally caused more than $440 worth of damage to the vehicle was ordered to pay that amount in reparation when he appeared in Masterton District Court recently.
Robert Lendrum was involved in a dispute with his landlord on July 4 when his landlord's two sons called to the premises.
Lendrum claims the car was parked in a way which blocked his entire driveway and compromised the safety of him and his family. He said the vehicle was parked so that it stopped him and his family leaving.
Lawyer James Elliot said the 47-year-old defendant claimed he heard reference to a firearm and it was then that he decided to put the handbrake down on the car in order to move it. The car was subsequently involved in a collision and the front windscreen, left headlights and panels were damaged.
Judge Bruce Davidson directed that Lendrum pay the $440 damage costs in $10 weekly instalments.
