Shropshire businessman poured fuel mixture over tax official's car
A business owner poured a fuel mixture over the roof of a tax official's car after she demanded he pay £14,000 of debts that day, a court heard.
The victim – who was sitting in her car at the time – was left terrified of what would happen next having already left the property in Telford under a barrage of swearing, Telford Magistrates Court was told.
Robert Bates, a director of Wrekin Landscapes, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and using threatening words and behaviour when he appeared at court yesterday.
He was ordered to pay a total of £1,735 in fines, compensation and court charges.
Bates had answered the door to the HMRC employee on the evening of May 14, but had become abusive and hostile as he spoke with the woman, said Mrs Abigail Hall, prosecuting.
The tax office employee had felt intimidated and "honestly feared that she may be assaulted" said Mrs Hall, who added that as the official left the property in St Lukes Road, Doseley, she had been followed very closely by Bates.
The defendant had then left the official alone as she made notes in her car which was parked on the road nearby.
Moments later, he returned holding a canister of liquid which she realised was fuel as he poured it over her car, said Mrs Hall.
"She was petrified as to what might happen. She was very frightened, in a panic and feared for her safety," she added.
The victim drove off and called the police who arrested Bates at his home, the court was told.
Bates, 51, was given two £400 fines for using threatening words and behaviour and criminal damage. He was ordered to pay £660 compensation to the officer and a total of £275 in court costs.
Miss Jenni Hancocks, for Bates, said that the defendant knew the substance he was pouring on the car, a mixture of water and diesel dregs from his lawnmowers, was not flammable and had merely wanted to damage the car and ruin her day.
She said that the officer had demanded that Bates' £14,000 tax debts be paid on the day and had appeared not to listen to suggestions of a payment plan.
The defendant had begun to swear at the officer to remove her from the property as he was worried about the stress that her presence was causing his 21-year-old daughter, who was in the house recovering from ovarian cancer.
Miss Hancocks said that Bates' business had been struggling with cash flow after not being paid for work he had carried out for the NHS.
The court was told that Bates was working seven days a week from 5am to 7pm and that a repayment plan had since been agreed between the parties.
