Two Perth tradesmen have admitted smashing up work vans belonging to a rival business.
Euan Boyes and Mark Dillon used a selection of tools to hobble the vehicles while they were parked outside their opponents’ home.
Images released by the Crown Office show the extensive damage caused to the Citreon Xsara Picasso and Ford Transit, owned by father-and-son roofers Mark and Chad Netherington.
Boyes, 29, and Dillon, 31, appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted targeting the vans and smashing their windscreens in the city’s Kingswell Terrace on October 21 2019.
Agents said the reasons for the three-year-old feud have been lost over time but confirmed they were rival businesses.
Uncooperative witnesses
Fiscal depute David Currie told the court: “At around 2.45pm, complainers Chad and Mark Netherington were at their home.
“Both their vehicles were parked outside on a public road.
“At this time, they were in good order.”
He said: “About 10 minutes later, witnesses heard the noise of smashing and banging.
“A mother who was collecting her children from school noticed that there were two males using tools to smash the windscreens of vehicles outside the complainers’ house.
“She observed they were in possession of various implements.
“The Netheringtons also looked out their window and saw the accused.”
The fiscal depute said: “The matter was reported to police but when they arrived, it’s fair to say that Netherington Snr and Jnr were not cooperative.
“They would not say who the men were or why they were doing this.
“They simply said they knew who it was.”
Mr Currie added: “CCTV was reviewed and from this police were able to identify both accused.”
He said the Netheringtons did not provide prosecutors with a cost for the damage.
Similar business
Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said: “This was Mr Boyes’ first brush with the law.
“However, last year he received a considerable sentence of 42 months for behaviour on a night out.
“History doesn’t record exactly what the disagreement was about but your lordship will note the van is branded with a roofing company.
“That is a similar business to that which these two gentlemen (Boyes and Dillon) had at the time.
“That does not excuse any of the behaviour.
“But it perhaps does give the court some insight.”
A solicitor for father-of-one Dillon, of Thistle Place, Scone, added: “He does accept that his conduct was not acceptable and he is apologetic.”
Sheriff Francis Gill told Boyes: “There’s absolutely no excuse for your behaviour.
“It is clear from the photos presented to me that there was significant damage caused to both vehicles.”
Boyes, of Glenshee Court, Perth, was fined £540 but will spend the equivalent time in jail – about 28 days – after requesting no time to pay.
Sheriff Gill deferred sentence on Dillon until November 23.
