A plumber who scratched two neighbours’ vehicles in a parking row in Ramsey was caught after CCTV was installed by one of the victims.

Peter Graham Brown, aged 47, of Shipyard Road, in Ramsey, has been sentenced to 100 hours of community service and must also pay a total of £1,440 in compensation for the damage that he caused.

Prosecutor Michael Jelski told the court how, on February 3, a woman had parked her Audi A3 in Shipyard Road where she lives. The following morning she noticed scratches on the vehicle.

On February 14, she again parked the car and found scratches the next morning.

The woman reported the matter to the police, who advised her to install CCTV, which she did.

On February 24, a man who also lived in Shipyard Road reported to police that his Mercedes van had been scratched overnight while it was parked.

Police viewed the CCTV footage from the camera installed by the woman and it showed Brown come out of his house and then run his hand down the length of the van.

As he returned to his house he did the same thing again, then threw something across the road.

Police went to Brown’s house and a jacket that was similar to the one he was wearing in the footage was found.

When interviewed Brown denied causing the damage but after he was shown the CCTV footage he admitted all three offences.

Defence advocate David Reynolds said that his client had issues over his neighbours’ parking.

He said: ’There has been an ongoing issue for Mr Brown.

’He lost his temper. The biggest issue is he’s going to have to see these people on a daily basis.

’He just wants to be able to move on now. He is embarrassed by his actions.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes ordered Brown to pay £582 compensation to the woman and £858 to the man.

He was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.