Garage Boss Broke Neighbour's Arm During 'Parking Rage' Row

A garage boss, who broke a neighbouring mechanic's arm with a heavy-duty spirit-level during a 'parking rage' row, was told today he would be going to prison.

Mark Evans Blackburn, 46, (pictured) of Bakers Gardens, Carshalton swung the four-foot long wooden weapon at Matthew Ward during a furious row over blocked access.

Blackburn was convicted by a Croydon Crown Court jury of inflicting grievous bodily harm in Bensham Lane, Thornton Heath on January 5 and was remanded in custody.

“You have been convicted by a jury of a serious offence and the only sentence I can pass is one of imprisonment,” Judge Peter Gow QC told the father-of-two.

The court heard trouble began when Mr. Ward, who had just pulled up in his car, complained a small transit van Blackburn had just parked was blocking the entrance to his garage.

The defendant shouted: “I'm not going to move the fucking van,” and admitted in the witness box: “I think I told him to fuck off.”

The pair then had a face-to-face confrontation, shouting abuse at each other, when Mr. Ward's friend got out of a car with a dog.

“I was looking at the floor for something to arm myself with because I thought the dog was going to attack me,” Blackburn told the jury.

Mr. Ward said the defendant warned: “Wait there. I've got something to show you.”

Seconds later he returned with the spirit-level and, swinging it like a baseball bat, struck Mr. Ward, breaking his left arm, and causing him to fall to the floor.

Blackburn claimed the blow was in self-defence because he feared Mr. Ward was going to grab a weapon from the back of his own vehicle.

Prosecutor Mr. Nicholas Bleaney said: “Essentially this injury ruined Mr. Ward's professional life.

“As a direct result of his injuries he has had to give up his business.”

Blackburn will be sentenced on January 2.