JCB digger rampage causes £300,000 worth of damage because employee was depressed due to a knee injury

£300,000 worth of damage caused by 59-year-old Trevor Lewis because he was depressed with a knee injury

15:36 26 September 2014

Trevor Lewis, who used a digger to wreak havoc at the Eastwood Recycling Centre, have said that he had become disillusioned after suffering from a knee injury last year.

 

59-year-old Trevor Lewis, who had admitted that he had become disillusioned with his job following a knee injury, used a digger to wreak havoc at the Eastwood Recycling Centre in Todmorden with estimated damage worth £300,000. He has now been jailed for three years after admitting a charge of criminal damage.

 

The court heard that one of the reasons for his behaviour was because the site had made it difficult for him to work there by introducing steps during a recent refurbishment. The court also heard he smashed six glass recycling containers, glass bottle cages, a number of lamp posts, site gates and several section of perimeter fencing.

His defense attorney told the court: 'There had been a build up of frustration and depression. The site had taken on almost human form. He became obsessed that the site was ruining his life.

 

'He felt he could not continue unless the source of his despair and depression was removed.'