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<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe former plant operator had been working at the construction site before he was dismissed alongside several colleagues a few weeks prior to the incident.<\/p>\n
Neagu, who had experience operating the digger, told officers that the reason he had chosen to destroy the properties was due to a dispute with his former employer over unpaid wages.<\/p>\n
Detective Constable Shaun Turner, from the East Herts Local Crime Unit, said: \u201cThree three-bedroom properties and two two-bedroom properties were affected by Neagu\u2019s deliberate act of destruction, with the total cost of the damage estimated to be in the region of \u00a34million.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\u201cThe incident had a lasting impact on the local community as a number of the properties were nearing completion and their new owners were weeks away from moving in.<\/p>\n
“However after assessment, the structural damage was deemed to be too severe so the affected properties had to be demolished and rebuilt, which took months.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neagu pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage and was sentenced to four years imprisonment.<\/p>\n
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