Man walks free after setting rival’s yacht adrift in jealous rage
A JEALOUS boyfriend who set a millionaire love rival’s yacht adrift after claiming he saw him romping with his girlfriend through a porthole has avoided a jail sentence.
David Taylor told police he acted in fury after seeing his then girlfriend Hannah Brookes, 26, allegedly performing a sex act on Mike Hay, 58, aboard the luxury vessel Coco.
The electrician, 54, unmoored the retired car dealer’s yacht by cutting ropes and electrical cables securing it to Newcastle’s Quayside.
The £450,000 Sealine 38 vessel was swept down the River Tyne, suffering almost £15,000 damage in what was branded a “completely unreasonable” act of revenge.
He also cut loose Mr Hay’s second boat, the Vortex, which drifted a mile down river, smashing into jetties, pontoons and other vessels, causing £11,490 damage.
Taylor had known Ms Brookes for about five weeks when last November he accused her of an affair with Mr Hay, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
The couple rowed and Ms Brookes left the riverside bar where they were drinking. Mr Hay was nearby aboard the Coco when she joined him and told of her argument.
Neil Pallister, prosecuting, said: “She had been on the boat three to four minutes when they noticed Taylor standing on the pontoon.
“A short time later Mr Hay realised his boat Coco was drifting away.”
Mr Hay started the engine and with the help of two police officers was able to get it back to its moorings.
However, the Vortex drifted down the river suffering major damage.
Taylor had admitted criminal damage at Newcastle magistrates’ court.
Sentencing, Judge Robert Adams told him: “You could have caused even greater damage and people could have been harmed.”
He sentenced Taylor to nine months in jail suspended for 18 months, 30 hours rehabilitation and 200 hours unpaid work in the community.
Miss Brookes, Mr Hay and his wife were at court yesterday to see Taylor being sentenced. Miss Brookes and Mr Hay deny having an affair.