Raging homeowner up in court for terrifying overreaction to school-run mum turning car around in his driveway
A FUMING homeowner spiralled into a rage and smashed in a neighbour’s car windscreen with his fists.
Derick Willard snapped after he saw Somita Yogi turn her silver Toyota around in his driveway in Tonbridge, Kent.
The unassuming mum had been going to collect her son from his tutor but was horrified when a scathing Willard flew towards the car spitting expletives.
Mad with fury he began punching the motor and destroyed the windscreen with two heavy blows.
They turned round in our drive, people are always doing it, it’s not a through road.They tried to run me over, it upset me
Derick Willard
The 60-year-old, who lives with his mum, was arrested after refusing to co-operate with a police interview.
Willard, of Three Elm Lane, Tonbridge, was charged and admitted criminal damage.
Maidstone Magistrates’ Court heard how Somita was forced to fork out £164 to replace the windscreen, as reported by KentOnline.
Prosecutor Rajni Prashar told the court: “This incident happened on October 24, last year at about 2pm.
“Mrs Yogi and her husband were in their car driving along Three Elm Lane in Tonbridge to collect their son from his tutor and turned left after the BP garage and she decided to turn around and started the manoeuvre.
“It was at this point a man ran out and started shouting and swearing and as they were in the car they couldn’t really understand but thought he might be angry about them turning their car and went to open the door to tell him to calm down.
“But he hit their car with his fist and then hit the windscreen with his fists twice and it smashed and had a crack in it.”
The prosecutor told how Willard was of “previous good character”.
The court heard how Somita, who was without a car for three days, can no longer drive near Willard’s property and stopped taking her son to his tutor.
Willard, who defended himself in court, said: “They turned round in our drive, people are always doing it, it’s not a through road.
“They tried to run me over, it upset me.”
The defendant was slapped with a 12-month conditional discharge.
He was also ordered to pay Somita £164 compensation and a victim surcharge of £26 alongside £85 in court costs.