"Britain's worst neighbour" has been jailed after causing £200,000 worth of damage by tearing off the roof of his and his neighbours' homes.
Mark Coates, 57, was sentenced to four years and four months in prison following the destructive act.
The incident was the culmination of a bitter seven-year feud over a garden fence that had escalated to the High Court.
Coates smashed a hole through the roof of his £450,000 semi-detached home before climbing out. He then began tearing off tiles and chimney pots, throwing them to the ground.
Coates smashed a hole through the roof of his £450,000 semi-detached home before climbing out
CPS
After largely destroying his own roof, he moved to his neighbours' property and continued the destruction.
His neighbour, Janice Turner, 66, called the police but was left crying in the garden as she watched Coates demolish her home.
Police video showed Coates methodically smashing both roofs with a hammer. A two-hour police stand-off ensued before Coates was finally arrested and taken into custody.
At Lewes Crown Court, Coates was found guilty of two counts of criminal damage on the properties. He was cleared of harassment charges.
MORE LIKE THIS:
- Neighbour row erupts as man ordered to remove 0.9-metre tall fence by local councillors in battle over 'eyesore'
- ‘We want what’s best!’ Neighbour row erupts after housing developer accused of making 'disgusting' decision
- Neighbours go to war after businessman blocks historic footpath with new snug at £800k home
Residents living near the victims said the dispute had a massive effect on the whole community, branding Coates "one of the worst neighbours in Britain".
Recorder Ben Williams KC said Coates had fallen on the houses "like a human wrecking ball".
He described the incident as a clear "revenge attack" that had a "devastating" impact on the victims.
The judge noted that Turner now suffered from an "anxiety response" every time she heard crockery smash.
However, he acknowledged there were "tragic elements" to the case, as Coates had "lost his sense of reason" due to the long-running dispute.
The dispute began when a fence panel fell down between the two properties in Robertsbridge, near Hastings, East Sussex.
When a new fence was erected, Coates and his neighbours disagreed over the boundary line.
After years of litigation, the case eventually reached the High Court.
Justice Morgan had warned the warring neighbours that persisting with the row could result in financial ruin.
The ruling was ultimately made against Coates.
David Greenwood, 69, and Turner, 66, said the last seven years had been hugely stressful.
Turner was so upset she couldn't attend court for the sentencing. "I was crying. I felt very, very frightened. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was extremely distressed," she said.
Greenwood described the destruction as "calculating and spiteful".
"Tiles were being thrown everywhere, chimney pots were being smashed off. I was quite shocked," he added.
Coates, a father-of-five, was jailed and handed a £475,000 court bill. He was ordered to sell his home to reimburse the victims' legal fees and pay for property damage.
Just three days before he was due to hand over the house keys, Coates decided to cause massive damage to both properties.
The destruction was described as "calculating and spiteful"
CPS
The court heard this was a direct response to losing his home through the legal proceedings.
Police body-cam footage showed officers trying to reason with Coates on the roof.
Coates told them: "I've had this house stolen off me by a judge and corrupt police. I'll cause as much damage as I can to devalue the house".
He then moved across to his neighbours' roof, throwing tiles into their garden.
Turner said: "He was picking some of them up and throwing them into the garden and towards me. I felt debris from the roof go past my face".
Coates told officers he wanted charges serious enough to get a jury trial where he could expose alleged corruption. He was cleared of two counts of causing fear of violence or harassment.
The court imposed an indefinite restraining order against him.
Richard Body, defending, described Coates as a "dedicated family man" with previous good character.
He added: "However he has an aspect of his character that is stubborn which is how he has got himself into this very unfortunate position."
