Holme-next-the-Sea man shares concerns someone is trying to sabotage his ride-on lawnmower after complaints

A keen gardener fears a mystery village “mower moaner” is trying to sabotage his ride-on tractor after complaints about it being too loud.

An unknown complainant told council officials Malcolm Starr’s lawnmower was too loud in May this year, prompting environmental health officials to investigate.

Mr Starr, of Holme, was later told he would not face prosecution for using his ride-on mower.

Now he claims someone is deliberately trying to damage his mower after he recently discovered lengths of rope scattered among grass on his land.

Around six weeks ago his tractor-like vehicle got stuck in around 30 metres of 1cm-wide sisal cord that lay along the boundary of his four-acre paddock, he claimed.

On Friday, August 11, an identical rope was wrapped around the mower again, having reportedly been left in the same location.

He added a lot of damage could have been done if he had not noticed the cord, stopped the mower and got it loose.

The retired businessman, who now lets properties, said he is unpopular among certain villagers in Holme, which has a population of just over 200 people.

He has lived there for a decade and said two years ago a resentful neighbour locked seven padlocks around his gate.

Neighbours have previously lodged complaints when he has had bonfires, too.

He said: “It stopped one of the three blades – it’s a kind of heavy-duty tractor mower – but it was too late when I noticed the bloody thing.

“[The rope] was identical to one of the pieces of rope that was put down before, I can't remember if that it was done before getting greased up to the council or before.

“Someone’s obviously got a screw loose I think, in this village we’re surrounded by nimbies that don’t like anything.

“I get complaints if I have a bonfire, but if you point the finger you no doubt get the wrong person.

“They don’t like people who are in property, which is my business.

“The most odd things have happened.

“In this village we’ve got virtually every profession you could imagine, from brain surgeon to cancer specialist.

“We’ve also got a television producer – quite a vast number of people who live around here are of different walks of life, amongst all those good people there’s this parasite."