Thread: Painting fence leads to 'criminal damage' fine

A couple who painted their side of a garden fence have been handed an £80 fine by police for "criminal damage", after a neighbour complained.

By David Barrett, Home Affairs Correspondent
Published: 8:00AM BST 08 Aug 2010
Officers turned up at the home of Kay Balsdon and her partner Chris Bates and threatened them with prosecution if they refused to accept the on-the-spot fine.
A next-door neighbour had claimed that Mr Bates' paint job, in a shade called "Forest Green", had ruined the finish on her side of the 6ft fence which was painted a different colour.

Mrs Balsdon, 47, said: "When the police turned up at my door I thought it was a prank. I just couldn't believe it - I was expecting Jeremy Beadle to pop out at any moment."
The petrol station cashier from Aldershot, Hants, added: "The fence was getting a bit dry and starting to warp so we thought we'd paint it green to match the rest of the fences in our garden. We were very careful and used a brush rather than a sprayer, but a little bit had got through the fence.
"The woman next door got very upset and started banging on the door and creating a scene.
"She called the police who said they were going to issue a fine, and warned us that if we didn't pay we would end up going to court and end up paying a lot of money. So we just paid."
Mr Bates, 29, a postman, said: "I'm amazed that there was such a waste of police time over something so petty.
"When the police arrived I was speechless for 20 minutes. And when it had finally sunk in I felt angry that I was being punished for something so stupid."
Hampshire Police said it had decided to refund the fine.
A spokesman said: "The officers gave this a lot of consideration and decided that this was the best way to deal with it. However, we have now reviewed the case and the fine will be rescinded and refunded. Painting fence leads to 'criminal damage' fine - Telegraph

he said , she said , we need pics

That's all folks! From the Criminal damage fine for painting garden fence - News - gethampshire

Actually, with a lapped fence like that, and using wood stain, which is pretty thin, it must be almost impossible to avoid runs and dribbles seeping through to the other side of the fence. Might have been better to offer to paint the neighbours side as well or at least talk about it first. I 've had this experience back in England and the neighbour and I agreed on a colour then did both sides together.