A MAN who used a crowbar to jemmy open a sluice gate to divert floodwater away from his neighbourhood has been ordered to pay over £2,500 by a court.

Lee Goddard, of Water Street, Hambridge, pleaded guilty to interfering with sluices for regulating the flow of water into and out of a watercourse between December 20 and 23 last year.

Goddard, 40, told Taunton Magistrates’ Court today (Monday, December 22) that he took things into his own hands when six inches of water flooded into his home and his neighbours’ properties.

The self-employed builder, who had no previous convictions, claimed he acted because the sluice gate was preventing a barn from flooding at the expense of homes in Water Street.

District judge Taylor said Goddard had breached Parrett Internal Drainage by-laws to protect sluice gates, which are an “established historic system for controlling waters on the Levels and Moors”.

The judge added: “It is very clear to me that you made a determined and very clear attack on the sluice gates.

“You knew that your actions were not approved by those who had placed a padlock on the gates – you were clearly not entitled to do what you did.”

He said Goddard’s actions were motivated by “selfish local concern”, but it is unclear what harm was caused, although he took “a very real risk”.

Goddard, who declined to comment after the case, was fined £1,000 with £1,000 costs, and was ordered to pay £415.08 compensation for damage to the sluice gate and a £100 victim surcharge.