64-year-old Terry Lewis, accused of firing an air rifle at his neighbour in Brading because their music was playing too loud, has been found guilty by a jury following a Crown Court trial.
Lewis, of no fixed abode, appeared before the Isle of Wight Crown Court earlier this week (Monday) where a 3-day trial was listed. The 64-year-old had previously entered a not guilty plea to 2x possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause harm or violence and a single charge of assault by beating.
The court heard how – as previously reported by Island Echo – on the evening of 18th August 2024, at an address on New Road in Brading, a neighbourly dispute erupted.
A disgruntled Lewis, who was unhappy to hear loud blaring music coming from the nearby property, pointed an air rifle over the fence and opened fire. Lewis then proceeded to open fire on the house, smashing windows in the process.
After several attempts to detain him, Police were eventually able to arrest Lewis and take him to Newport Police Station.
The court heard how Lewis was a man who had only recently come to the attention of the justice system, with his life taking a drastic turn following the sudden death of his wife.
After deliberations of some 3 hours, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on 1 count of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause harm or violence
The jury found Lewis not guilty of another charge of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause harm or violence and assault by beating in the month of August. A forfeiture and destruction order for the firearm was ordered.
Mr Recorder McElduff said that Lewis had already spent considerable time on remand and that his case was one that would benefit from the compilation of a pre-sentence report.
Lewis was remanded in custody until his sentencing hearing at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on 14th May.
If the Numpty’s were not playing loud music
in the first place, such circumstances may never
have occurred.
Why don’t authorities address the root of a
problem!
That is why detached properties is the only answer
in life.
Why don’t the authorities control noisy neighbours!