A MAN 'wielding a Gandalf stick' damaged a neighbour's car three times in 24 hours. 

Michael Hill, of 12 The Close, Morgans Vale, Redlynch, hit a black Mercedes belonging to a woman with a black and yellow hammer, as well as causing damage to a silver Volvo belonging to a second woman and used threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour towards a third woman - an 84-year-old -  on October 13, 2022. 

Mr Hill, 55, was seen holding the 'Gandalf stick', which he said was a walking stick, and shouted at his neighbour "do you f***ing want some", before going back into his home to get the hammer and coming back to strike the Mercedes. 

The owner of the car called the police and Mr Hill was taken away in an ambulance. He then returned to Morgans Vale the following day once he had been released from custody, and caused further damage to the Mercedes, upon which he was arrested again.

The cost of the damage to the Mercedes was estimated to be between £600-£700. 

Around 100 cans of butane gas and a "small quantity" of cannabis were later found in Mr Hill's address, Salisbury Magistrates Court heard on Thursday. 

The owner of the Mercedes said she is now "constantly anxious" and that the damage to her car has had "huge financial implications for her" due to the parts that have to be replaced and the paint work needed. 

The 84-year-old neighbour said she was "scared of him and what he will do to me". 

She added: "I have never felt more fearful of someone as I have of this man.  

"He was high as a kite and I don't know what he could be capable of". 

Another witness said Mr Hill was making an "absolutely terrifying sound that made the hair on my arms stand up". 

Mr Hill had been self-medicating a variety of physical health problems with butane gas, which causes a number of side effects, such as mood swings, hallucinations, and confusion. He told the court he has debilitating issues and is in considerable pain.

Mr Hill was given a community order for 12 months, but the court took into account that he had "overcome a great many difficulties" by himself, and his "unblemished record" since the 1990s. 

After his arrest, he served 50 days in custody which was also taken into account when considering a short custodial sentence, which was not imposed.

He was also ordered to pay financial compensation to the women whose cars he damaged, and has been put on a final warning from Wiltshire Council.