Alexandre Binda, an 80-year-old military historian, admitted damaging two neighbours’ vehicles with a scaffolding pole after a prolonged dispute over parking outside their homes in Rothbury, Northumberland. The feud reportedly caused severe stress and anxiety for both households, with the court hearing that the Bindas had considered suicide and the neighbouring hoteliers eventually moved away.

Binda damaged a van by about £4,500 and a Range Rover by around £2,000, after the vehicles allegedly encroached on his parking space. He pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage and received an 18-month conditional discharge, with £1,000 compensation payable at £50 a month; the judge said there had been “two sides” to the dispute but described Binda’s actions as entirely out of character.