A British woman who took her neighbour to court after he “butchered” her wisteria tree, destroying her trellis in the process, says she won “pyrrhic victory” at the Small Claims Tribunal.
Smile, you’re on camera. He just laughed and carried on and then tried to hide his face
Gillian Renaud, 65, sought recourse to the tribunal, seeking compensation from her neighbour, Francis Camilleri, 82, and producing photographs, which, she says, show him damaging her Ħamrun garden last September 9.
She was awarded €100 in damages to have the trellis replaced, considering it a pyrrhic victory as “there are no real winners in a court situation”.
Mr Camilleri admitted during the case to using a pair of scissors to cut the plant growing onto his side of their boundary wall but denied causing any further damage.
He said that the trellis had been there for some 10 years and was always battered by the elements.
Ms Renaud, an artist and print maker, had actually asked for €250. She testified that it cost €200 to replace the green netting trellis and add on wire mesh.
The tribunal chairman, lawyer Vincent Galea, said that Mr Camilleri should pay for the damage to the green net only, which should not cost more than €100.
Ms Renaud complained that the judicial process drained her. “Your life is not in your control even when you are 100 per cent right,” she said.
On a more positive note, she quips with a smile, justice has been done.
A criminal case by the police against Mr Camilleri is still pending before the Magistrates’ Court.
In court, Ms Renaud testified that she had heard a loud noise and, armed with her camera, went to investigate. She spotted Mr Camilleri destroying her wisteria tree.
She said that he was also slashing her trellis and when he spotted her holding the camera she shouted to him: “Smile, you’re on camera.”
He just laughed and carried on and then tried to hide his face, she added.
Living in the same property for years, she felt constantly harassed by Mr Camilleri, Ms Renaud said, adding that she just wanted the bullying to stop.