Wellington tyre slasher argues against jail

David Francis Johns was sentenced to 22 months jail in April. Photo / Facebook.

A man found guilty of vigilante tyre slashing wants out of jail, and to get home detention instead.

David Francis Johns, 53, was given 22 months jail for puncturing the tyres of more than 100 cars parked in the streets around Wellington airport.

Police estimate the true number could be closer to 300, and it's believed he caused around $20,000 of damage, by walking the streets puncturing tyres with a sharpened screwdriver.

He's now lodged an appeal at the High Court in Wellington, with his lawyer arguing his actions were more than vigilantism, and were also motivated by worries for community safety.

The judge has reserved his decision on the appeal.

In sentencing Johns in April, Judge Tim Black said he didn't believe Johns was remorseful.

He cited evidence where Johns told a psychologist he was proud of his actions, and saw himself as a vigilante.

"Vigilante action will be met with a stern response from the court, people are not entitled to take the law into their own hands," Black said.

The streets near Wellington Airport are often crowded with cars, which has led to an ongoing feud between residents and those trying to avoid paying for airport parking.

Johns was caught by police during a plainclothes operation early in the morning on January 26.

Just after six in morning he was seen driving to Miro St, parking his vehicle, stabbing the left tyre of a car parked on the street, then moving on to do the same thing to five others in the immediate area.

On the day he was arrested he had broken rules he had set for himself, to not go out after 6am and only in bad weather, to avoid being caught.

When he was arrested he admitted puncturing tyres in the area on numerous occasions over the previous six months.

He said was frustrated with the Wellington City Council's inaction over parking issues in the area, and did not like people using his suburb as a giant car park.

The majority of the cars he targeted were parked legally.