Neighbour's noise `provoked' shots

A man who fired an air rifle at the home of a noisy neighbour was fined and given a suspended jail sentence at the Old Bailey yesterday.

William Vonck, 40, of Clapham, south London, who runs a property firm, "snapped" because of the loud music constantly played by Simon Batt, 32, who lived on the ninth floor of a tower block. Vonck fired at least eight pellets at Mr Batt's home, and allegedly cracked a window pane, the court was told.

Judge Michael Stuart-Moore said: "Your patience snapped because of the loud music. Mr Batt was a self-centred, inconsiderate neighbour of the very worst kind ... I accept you were very heavily provoked." He added that Vonck was "very lucky" to avoid prison.

Police found an air rifle with telescopic lenses and an antique shotgun, for which Vonck had held an expired licence.

Vonck was fined pounds 4,500, plus pounds 500 costs and given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.