Unpaid builder who destroyed homes is jailed

A ROMANIAN builder who demolished five houses with a digger while whistling, singing and whooping ‘Woo-hoo!’ was jailed yesterday.

Daniel Neagu caused £950,000 of damage in 30 minutes as he smashed into the retirement bungalows on August 11.

The 31-year-old told witnesses: ‘Hello. If you like to, call the police. I did it.’

He targeted the new homes at Buntingford, Hertfordshire, which were awaiting their first occupants, because he claimed subcontractor Fenton owed him £16,000 and had threatened him.

Neagu, of Harrow, north London, had admitted damaging property and was jailed for four years. Passing sentence at St Albans Crown Court, Judge Stephen Warner said: ‘Even if they did owe you money, even if there were threats... that cannot begin to justify your conduct.’

Fenton said it had not paid Neagu because one of its vehicles had been taken to Romania. The firm declined to comment on the case yesterday.