Pensioner caught on CCTV keying new neighbour's £60,000 car

Keith Edward Ardley, 75, was said to have been jealous of Marius Crisan's brand new Lexus car and damaged it out of spite.

He was caught on CCTV running a key along the side of the black Lexus 450h Hybrid in the car park of the Bournemouth block of flats where they live.

Tensions between Ardley and Mr Crisan had been building after the victim moved to the flats and tried to set up a residents' association, the court heard.

Ardley, who has lived in the building with wife Elizabeth for 40 years, warned Mr Crisan to "pipe down and keep a low profile" because he was new, the prosecution said.

The retired council IT worker eventually vented his frustrations as he walked past Mr Crisan's car on January 8 last year.

Mr Crisan, 40, noticed the damage the next day and asked the security company that operates the CCTV at Wimbledon Hall in Derby Road to check the footage.

Ardley, who is partially deaf and blind, was prosecuted for causing £1,000 criminal damage.

He denied the offence and insisted in court that he "never tells lies". Mrs Ardley gave evidence stating she had seen the scratches the day before the incident.

Jason Spelman, prosecuting, told the trial at Poole Magistrates' Court on January 27 that the couple had come up with excuses that just "didn't make sense".

He said: "We have CCTV which clearly shows the defendant scoring lines into the car.

"The defendant suggested that he was simply running his fingers along the car to feel for the scratches his wife had mentioned the day before."

Keith Ardley leaving Poole Magistrates' Court (Image: BNPS)

Giving evidence, Ardley said: "In just four seconds I ran my fingers along the scratches, but it was only along half of the car.

"Even then I couldn't have scratched the car because the keys in my hand were in a leather pouch.

"I never lie. Me and my wife have always told the truth."

Mr Spelman put it to the pensioner that he had a "very unfriendly" conversation when Mr Crisan tried to form a residents' association.

"You told him to 'pipe down and keep a low profile' because he was new to the block," he said.

Magistrates found Ardley guilty of criminal damage after seeing the video.

Debbie Scudamore, mitigating, said her client had no previous convictions and was of good character.

She said: "He has vehemently denied committing the offence and his wife has said she saw the scratches on the car the day before."

Deputy district judge Daniel Church told Ardley: "I have taken into consideration your previous good character and read the letters from old colleagues vouching for your integrity.

"However, listening to the evidence you and Elizabeth have given I have found significant inconsistencies."

Ardley was discharged conditionally for 12 months. He was ordered to pay Mr Crisan £1,000 in compensation and £620 to cover costs of the trial.