Man chainsaws giant middle-finger salute to neighbours

An Australian man who assaulted a neighbour during an alleged 18-month reign of terror in Melbourne's eastern suburbs has been described as the "neighbour from hell". Residents of Frogmore Cres, Park Orchards, said they had been caught in the middle of a street war after David Muscat, 47, moved into the peaceful area. A neighbour said a long-running feud started soon after complaints were made to Manningham Council that Muscat had cleared trees on his property in the renowned green wedge.

As the tension in the street reached boiling point he erected a 1.2m sculpture of a finger displaying a rude gesture in his front yard in a bid to send a strong message to his fearful neighbours. A court last week heard two months later Muscat assaulted his neighbour, John Washbourne, who had asked him to turn off a leaf blower that was sending dust and debris into the caravan Mr Washbourne was cleaning. The court was told Muscat headbutted Mr Washbourne, shoulder-barged Mr Washbourne’s wife, Judy Lewis, and put the leafblower in their faces.



After being visited by police following the assault, Muscat ignored an order to turn down music. Prosecutor acting Sgt Jo Allen told the court last Monday that police obtained 20 statements from residents who found the sculpture indecent, offensive or inappropriate. Magistrate Max Cashmore said Muscat’s neighbours would have considered him “the neighbour from hell”. Defence lawyer Paul Lawrie agreed, but said Muscat had begun to adopt strategies to avoid conflict and wanted to resolve all matters. “He’s no longer the same man who had his heels dug in last year,” Mr Lawrie said.

Mr Cashmore said it was ironic that such an “unusual and regrettable” case happened in such a nice area. Muscat pleaded guilty to charges relating to the assault, sculpture and failure to turn off his stereo and was convicted and fined $700. In a separate hearing, Muscat was fined $10,000 by Manningham Council after pleading guilty to removing vegetation and doing earthworks without a permit.