A man flooded his own flat to make it uninhabitable because he wanted a move to a better property.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told yesterday that Dawid Fibiger, 37, caused thousands of pounds worth of damage in Diriebught Court between February and August.
Sheriff Margaret Neilson heard that the interior was “swimming in water”, had to be completely rebuilt, floors, walls and ceilings replaced and the interior completely redecorated.
But first, it had to be professionally cleaned of thick black mould before workmen could move in.
It resulted in Fibiger being rehoused and he now lives in a room in supported accommodation at Atchcournie in Baron Taylor’s Street.
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Fibiger had denied maliciously damaging the property but agreed that he wanted a move because he didn’t like it. He was found guilty after trial.
The diagnosed schizophrenic with OCD and a personality disorder said he was unhappy when he was forced to take over the property by housing officers and his mental health team as it was in “poor condition”.
He claimed the damage was caused by the ingress of rainwater and condensation because he had one or two showers or baths daily.
But council maintenance officer Gary Macdonald said in evidence that no leaks, condensation or water ingress could have caused so much damage.
He added: “The only thing could have been a burst water tank from the flat above.”
He said that had not happened.
Det. Constable Carla Hoxey, who had visited the registered sex offender on another matter, said that she asked Fibiger how the flat had got in that state.
She said he replied that it had been caused by water by him because he didn’t like the flat and he wanted a move.
He claimed he was being sarcastic.
But he wasn’t believed by the Sheriff who deferred sentence until December 17 for a background report.