Passport frustration taken out on windscreen wipers (From Watford Observer)

Passport frustration taken out on windscreen wipers

4:00pm Thursday 30th July 2009

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A “nonsense” case over a set of broken windscreen wipers began when a man confessed to damaging his ex's car.

Kevin Duffy, 23, of Hazelwood Lane, Abbots Langley, took revenge when he spotted his ex-partner's Vauxhall Corsa in a pub car park in the village on April 24.

Duffy broke the wipers and a numberplate, but later told Lucy Halford he had done it and offered to pay for the damage.

Jan Muller, prosecuting at Dacorum Magistrates' Court, said: “The money was never paid and the matter was reported to the police. His own confession has led to him being in court today.”

Duffy gave a no comment interview but pleaded guilty to criminal damage. He has a previous conviction for the same offence and is on a conditional discharge for shoplifting.

In mitigation, the court heard Duffy had split up with Miss Halford six months before. Earlier that day Duffy went to her home to retrieve a passport, but she was there with her new boyfriend and a row ensued and he left without it.

Duffy saw her car in the car park and made a “snap decision” to cause the damage.

Imposing a £200 fine District Judge Carolyn Mellanby said: “This is the sort of nonsense that should not really come to court.”

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