Man goes ‘vigilante’ at dairy after neighbour dispute
A man’s ‘‘vigilante’’ attack on his mother’s neighbour at the dairy prompted a revenge attack on his own house.
Raymond Henry Kelly, 52, punched Kevin Neil Reynolds in the head on a trip to the Tip Top Store, in Blenheim, on November 28.
Kelly was angry that Reynolds was causing his mother distress and confronted him about it, a police summary said.
He then punched Reynolds to the side of his head, causing some tenderness. Later that day, Reynolds went to Kelly’s property and smashed two of his windows.
Kelly admitted a charge of assault at the Blenheim District Court on Monday. Reynolds, 47, also appeared, admitting a charge of wilful damage.
Kelly’s lawyer Philip Watson said the dispute started when Reynolds lit a fire in his backyard, which damaged a sunshade belonging to Kelly’s mother.
Reynolds continued to light fires in his backyard despite the damage, which caused further arguments.
Kelly refused to meet with Reynolds to sort the matter out through restorative justice, Watson said.
‘‘He says it was a result of the neighbour’s behaviour towards
Later that day, Reynolds went to Kelly's property and smashed two of his windows.
his mum that caused him to take a vigilante approach, which he regrets,’’ Watson said.
Judge David Ruth convicted Kelly and sentenced him to come up if called upon in six months. ‘‘If there are no further incidents you’ll hear no more about this,’’ he said. Reynolds was sentenced to 40 hours’ community work, and ordered to pay $170 for the windows.