Man Killed Neighbour's Fish With Motor Oil and Detergent After Noise Dispute

Gerry Duffy, of Hadley Road, Barnet, north London, pleaded guilty on Tuesday at Willesden Magistrates' Court to damaging the pond, fish, water pump and pipes in March. He had warned neighbour Andreas Ptohides he would take matters into his own hands if the noise wasn't dealt with. Prosecutor Shahid Iftakhar said the dispute killed 'five or six' Koi carp and caused £565 of damage.

CCTV captured Duffy climbing into the garden and damaging the water pipes and pumps. In mitigation, Elliott Stern said his client had tried to resolve the dispute without resorting to killing the fish, but was 'driven completely insane' by the noise. An environmental officer had told Duffy he must 'move or close his window'. Duffy, a retired builder, was handed a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £565 compensation.