An 81-year-old man has been sentenced to three months in jail for his role in a 17-year dispute between two neighbours.

The court in Utrecht said the sentence is ‘appropriate and merited’ due to Rudolf Roozendaal’s constant vandalism and trespassing. In addition, Roozendaal has failed to learn any lessons from previous court orders to stop harassing his neighbour Gert Griffioen, the court said.

Court cases, attempts at mediation and the threat of a fine of €300,000 have all failed to reduce the tension which resulted in Griffioen using an infrared camera to film Roozendaal vandalising his car at night.

Griffioen told the Dutch media the dispute started soon after they moved to the house in the woods near the Utrecht village of Leersum. ‘I was told he regarded it as criminal that a family with children had come to live next door,’ Griffioen told broadcaster NOS.

Roozendaal, however, says the dispute revolves around his right of way over Griffioen’s land. He accuses Griffioen of illegally chopping down trees on his land and threatening him.

The court also ruled that Roozendaal has to pay Griffioen €4,000 compensation for the damage caused to the family’s property.