A Southampton man has been fined for parking in his neighbour's parking space after chopping up their trampoline in a bizarre feud.
Simon Short, 45, blocked his neighbour's vehicle in with his van at Cobden Rise car park - and after they managed to get out he moved into the space.
Southampton Magistrates' Court heard how this breached a restraining order put in place when he cut up his neighbour's trampoline after it ended up in the car park following high winds.
The series of incidents left the neighbours feeling like they were "walking on eggshells all the time".
But Short said it was "all fictitious lies" and that he was "the victim of a hate crime".
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He initially pleaded not guilty to breaching the restraining order but was convicted at trial after arguing he couldn't park in the street due to drug addicts in the area.
Prosecutor, Natalie Angel said “he knows that space belongs to them" and despite being told by magistrates that the land isn't his, he refuses to accept it.
She added: “He parked essentially blocking them in and then moved into the space.
“[The neighbour] is bemused and shocked by the behaviour of this defendant. He doesn’t feel safe in his own home.
“He feels like he is walking on eggshells all the time. He said I just want him to leave us alone and stop impacting on our lives."
Short, a builder who lives on St Catherine's Rise, had previously been convicted of criminal damage and two public order offences against this neighbour.
Speaking at his sentencing, he told magistrates: "It is a monstrous story. It is totally absurd. I have had to pay for this shambolic trial.”
He was given a £400 fine and was ordered to pay court costs of £620 for the incident which took place on October 15 last year.
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He was also given a six-month community order with 12 rehabilitation days and must pay a £114 surcharge.
A new restraining order was made banning him from contacting his neighbour or parking in any space other than his own for the next three years.
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