Greenfields: Man fined after hitting neighbour’s fence out of ‘pure frustration’

A MAN who hit his neighbour’s fence with a piece of wood to stop their dogs from barking said he did it out of “pure frustration”.

Ian Charles Houghton (62) pleaded guilty in Mandurah Magistrates Court today to unlawfully damaging two steel metal panels.

Police prosecutor Snr Const Tamara Read said Houghton used a one metre piece of wood to hit his neighbour’s metal fence at 4pm on May 5, 2018, in an effort to stop his neighbour’s dogs from barking.

As a result, Houghton dislodged the fence.

Police arrested Houghton on May 22. Houghton admitted to police he hit the fence out of “pure frustration”.

Houghton was forced to pay $60 compensation.

Defence lawyer Siobhan Nims said Houghton had lived on the street for years.

Ms Nims said when Houghton’s neighbours weren’t home, his neighbour’s two dogs would make noise on an ongoing basis.

Defence said Houghton had contacted local rangers that day but no effective action was made.

“At one stage, the dogs wouldn’t stop barking, and so he [Houghton] picked up the wood to stop them,” Ms Nims said.

Ms Nims said Houghton was “remorseful” and would deal with lawful channels in the future.

Defence said Houghton was a man who contributed to the community and would volunteer as a handyman.

Magistrate Anne Longden said Houghton had never committed an offence before and understood this offence rose out of anger.

Magistrate Longden fined him $100.