Gerry Duffy denies killing neighbor's carp with detergent during pond noise feud

A 76-year-old man from Barnet has appeared before Willesden Magistrates’ Court accused of killing his neighbour’s fish by pouring detergent into a garden pond.

Gerry Duffy denied all four charges against him on Tuesday, following a long-running dispute over noise levels emanating from the property of his next-door neighbour, Andrea Ptohides.

The court heard that Duffy had previously complained that the sounds from the pond were causing him to lose sleep.

Prosecutors alleged that the pensioner "threatened to take matters into his own hands" if action was not taken to silence the water feature.

On 20 March, it is claimed that Duffy threw motor oil into the pond, and four days later, water pipes were discovered to have been severed. Mr Ptohides reportedly reviewed CCTV footage which he claims showed Duffy climbing into his garden.

The situation escalated on 26 March when three carp were found dead. Mr Ptohides believes detergent was poured into the water during the early hours of the morning.

According to reports from the PA Media news agency, Duffy firmly "rejected claims that he threw motor oil from his window" or engaged in the subsequent property damage.

Duffy currently denies one count of unlawfully destroying fish and three counts of damaging property. He was granted conditional bail and is expected to face trial at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on 4 August.

This case highlights the increasing tensions within suburban London over noise pollution and neighbourly conduct.

Historically, Barnet has seen various civil disputes, but rarely do such disagreements result in criminal charges involving the loss of livestock.