A PLASTERER from Poole has been fined more than £3,000 after purposely reversing into his brother’s camper van in “a moment of madness” after an argument.

Tom Christopher William Barnes, 30, of Wareham Road, Poole, drove to Lytchett Matravers and struck the camper van after an argument with his brother David on March 3 last year, causing £2,500 worth of damage.

Barnes, who had initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea as his trial was about to start in November, appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, February 17, for sentencing.

Prosecuting, Charles Nightingale, said: “David and his partner were visiting the south coast and using a camper van for their journey.

“An argument took place between the defendant and his brother at his parents address.

“As a result of that argument, the camper van was moved by David to his sister’s address in Lockyers Way.

“He parked there, and David went away to talk to the police about what occurred.

“The defendant arrived, reversed twice into the camper van causing damage.”

Mr Nightingale told Magistrates that damage cost a little more than £2,500 to repair, and David and his partner hired anther camper van for two weeks at a cost of £595 a week.

Representing himself, Barnes said: “I deeply regret everything I have done, the situation I put myself in.

“I ruined my own name, I have always been a nice, respectful person, I really don’t know what else to say, I am still in shock I am here.

“It was a moment of madness, I never planned to do it, it was a spur of the moment, moment of madness.

“It was a really bad choice on my behalf, I am disappointed in myself more than anything.”

The self-employed plasterer had no previous convictions and said he could pay compensation of £100 a month.

Magistrate Martin Arthur said: “From the CCTV we can see it was a moment of madness, it was just stupid. You could have done yourself an injury.”

For driving without due care and attention, Barnes was put on conditional discharge for 24 months.

For the damage to the camper van, the defendant was fined £3696, ordered to pay costs of £350, a £21 victim surcharge and given six points on his driving licence.