A TRADESMAN caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to paving slabs he had laid after concerns were raised over the work carried out.

Leroy McKenzie, 18, had been working on the patio area of the victim who lives in Workington.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting at Workington Magistrates’ Court, said paving slabs had been laid but the family were not happy with the work carried out and the defendant was asked to leave.

McKenzie Jr had then caused £4,500 worth of damage to the paving slabs with a sledge hammer, the court was told.

A phone call was then exchanged with a member of the victim’s family, who said, “you better hope the police get to you before I do”.

A security camera on that man’s property was then damaged by William McKenzie, 42, McKenzie Jr's father, who “punched the camera off the wall”.

McKenzie Sr was interviewed and admitted damaging the camera. He said the man had phoned his son and said he was going to kill him.

McKenzie Jr was interviewed about the damage caused to the patio and said he had been employed to do some work but then said ‘no comment’ to further questions.

Ms Fee said the victim had already made a number of payments upfront to McKenzie.

John Cooper, defending, said: “At no point when slabs were laid, there was no criticism. It was when it was time to pay. That’s when it was an issue.

“They told him, ‘get away, we are not going to pay you’.

“She [the victim] has paid for materials but not for the labour. The slabs were no longer his - that’s why he pleads guilty to criminal damage.

“Stupidly, he thought that’s what he was entitled to do. He said, “I’m taking my work back’ and damaged those slabs.

“There were comments put on the internet about them.

“The business has been caused great difficulty. After today, he is going to have to sign on. He said he is going to have to move away and start again.”

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McKenzie Jr, of Windsor Road, Workington, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to property under £5,000, in relation to the paving slabs. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft from the person of another.

McKenzie Sr, of Windsor Road, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to property under £5,000 – which was in relation to the security camera.

McKenzie Jr was given a 12-month community order and must pay £1,000 in compensation to the victim. McKenzie Sr was fined £200 and must pay £130 in compensation.