PETTY revenge has reached new heights with one man’s efforts to effectively trap his neighbor in their home.
The resident dug a massive trench alongside a residential road in response to a dispute he had with a neighbor.
A neighborly dispute is taken to a ridiculously petty level[/caption]
The trench isn’t the first act of retaliation by Upton over the issue[/caption]
55-year-old Aaron Dale Upton allegedly dug the trench along a residential road in North Carolina, which measures 70 feet long by two feet wide and two feet deep.
This effectively trapped the neighbor Upton was feuding with in their own home, as few commercial vehicles have wheels of a large enough size to cross a two-foot gap without risking damage or getting stuck.
Days before digging the trench, Upton was previously arrested for Assault by Pointing a Firearm and Communicating Threats in relation to his dispute with a neighbor.
After being released from jail on Tuesday for these charges, Upton dug the trench.
He is now being held without bond for doing so as a result of being on pre-trial release at the time of his second arrest.
Upton’s actions have now “compromised the integrity of the roadway and created an extremely dangerous situation for everyday commuters,” according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s office via local outlet WBTV.
His trench is seen going almost to the edge of the asphalt itself, with only inches of dirt separating it from the trench, effectively ensuring any drivers who go over the edge are trapped in the ditch.
He has been charged with Felony Damage to Real Property for digging the trench.
Involved in the investigation alongside the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office were representatives from the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
It’s currently unreported exactly what the two neighbors’ initial dispute was over.
It can be presumed that driving or parking was involved in some way given how Upton exacted his revenge.
LOVE THY NEIGHBOR?
While Upton’s actions are certainly an extreme reaction, they’re far from the only act of revenge petty enough to garner widespread attention.
In April, an elderly couple who had spent seven years battling with their neighbor over a property line finally saw their battle come to an end.
The Massachusetts residents dealt with having their property stolen and trees cut down by a nasty neighbor, but eventually won a hefty payday for their troubles.
Know your rights
Homeowners have several rights when it comes to fencing rights:
- How high can you build a fence:
- In many residential areas, front yard fences may be limited to 3-4 feet in height, while backyard fences could be allowed up to 6-8 feet.
- To find out the specific restrictions for your property, consult your local government’s planning or building department.
- Consult a professional surveyor to help determine your property lines accurately
- What to do if your neighbor is building a fence too high:
- First, try talking with your neighbor about the issue
- Familiarize yourself with local fence height restrictions
- If talking doesn’t work, you can report your neighbor’s violation to your local planning or building department
- Who should pay for a fencing repair
- The responsibility for maintenance and repairs may depend on local laws and previous agreements
- If the fence is located directly on the property line and is considered a shared or “boundary fence,” the responsibilities may be different
- Higher a property lawyer to help with any other issues
Even celebrities aren’t averse to these disputes, as NFL legend and former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce discovered earlier this year when planning to further build on his Pennsylvania property.
Kelce found himself fighting with his neighbors over plans to level out the area, which they asserted could cause flooding, despite receiving approval to begin planned construction.
Even non-residential neighbors can get into spats, as one Pennsylvania church proved after blocking off a cutthrough which used part of its private driveway.
The church is demanding a legal agreement before reopening the route, citing maintenance and liability issues for the move.
Tempers can even flare high enough in these situations to vastly outweigh the original issue’s financial impact, as one Arizona homeowner is proving.
After being fined $650 by his HOA for performing an act of kindness, the man is considering going to court in retaliation, a choice which could cost him $50,000.
