A 76-year-old pensioner has admitted using motor oil and detergent to kill his neighbour's Koi carp and destroy a water pump after being driven “completely insane” by the nighttime noise of running water.
Gerry Duffy pleaded guilty at Willesden Magistrates' Court on Tuesday to damaging the pond, fish, water pump and pipes in March. The former builder committed the crime out of “sheer frustration and lack of sleep” caused by the sound of the pump in neighbour Andreas Ptohides' fishpond.
Threats before the attack
The court heard Duffy had previously threatened Mr Ptohides that he would take matters into his own hands if he did not “do something about the noise”. After the dispute, Duffy poured motor oil and cleaning detergent into the pond containing the exotic fish.
Four days later, CCTV captured him climbing into Mr Ptohides' garden in Barnet, north London, and damaging the water pipes and electric pumps.
Damage and consequences
Prosecutor Shahid Iftakhar said the dispute killed “five or six” of Mr Ptohides's Koi carp and caused approximately £565 damage to the system.
Defending, Elliott Stern said Duffy had been driven “completely insane by the noise” and that the neighbours had discussed the matter several times. Mr Ptohides initially said he would stop the pump “sometimes” but later refused, saying it was “not good for the fish”.
Duffy contacted the local council, which visited and concluded there was no noise, advising he “either move[d] or close his windows”.
Mr Stern said: “Out of sheer frustration and lack of sleep. Mr Duffy out of character and I would say technically lost his mind and committed these various damages.”
He added Duffy had been pushed “beyond rational thinking and did not think about the consequences” of his actions. The court heard Duffy had several health issues, including COPD, type 1 diabetes, skin cancer, and high blood pressure. His health had declined physically and mentally in the last year, and he suffered from severe anxiety and depression. He lived alone after breaking up with his partner three years ago.
Magistrate Matthew Cornish ordered Duffy to pay £565 in compensation: £440 for the pond and associated equipment and £125 for the destruction of the fish. He was also handed a two-year conditional discharge, meaning further crimes in that period could lead to additional punishment.
Cornish said: “We believe there was some planning given the incidents occurred over three separate days.”
