Bad blood between neighbours led to one poisoning the other’s garden fish pond.
Colin William MacNeil poured a bottle of what is believed to have been household bleach into the pond in the early hours of March 25, Wick Sheriff Court heard today.
Fiscal David Barclay said the 38-year-old’s drunken act was captured on the motion-activated cameras trained on the back garden of a house in Mackay Street, Castletown.
His neighbour discovered what had happened shortly after and removed his three pet fish from the pond.
The court heard they did not come to any significant harm.
Police were contacted and soon apprehended MacNeil who made no reply to being cautioned and charged.
‘A history of ill-feeling’
MacNeil, of Calder Square, Castletown, admitted knowingly using a poisonous substance on the pond without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
His sentence had been deferred for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report.
Solicitor George Mathers said there is a history of ill-feeling between MacNeil and the complainant.
The latter had bullied MacNeil as a child and their relationship continued to be acrimonious, Mr Mathers said.
According to MacNeil, the individual had threatened him with violence on a number of occasions.
Mr Mathers said: “He behaved in a disgraceful way pouring the bleach into the pond and he’s thoroughly ashamed of that.
“He accepts full responsibility for it and he is thoroughly sorry that he took his anger out on the man on the fish.”
Mr Mathers said MacNeil was very drunk at the time, with alcohol a common factor in his history of offending.
“He seems to lack the willpower to do anything about it,” said the agent.
He has shown remorse
MacNeil, who lives on benefits, has been seeking support to address mental ill health.
Addressing MacNeil, Sheriff Ian Miller said: “Your solicitor described it as entirely inappropriate and disgraceful conduct and that it is a very accurate description.”
It was, the sheriff said, an indirect attack on the neighbour.
He accepted MacNeil had shown a degree of remorse but believed he needed to address his alcohol problem and be aware of how it impacts others.
Sheriff Miller imposed a three-month restriction of liberty order in which MacNeil has to stay at home between seven at night and seven in the morning.
The sheriff said the circumstances of the case make an animal disqualification or compensation order inappropriate.
