JUST weeks after the Mayor of Chatteris opened Simon Crowson s new shop, the struggling businessman rang Anglia TV to say he was about to drive his car into her home. The 38-year-old single dad then reversed his jeep into a caravan outside Councillor Sue

JUST weeks after the Mayor of Chatteris opened Simon Crowson's new shop, the struggling businessman rang Anglia TV to say he was about to drive his car into her home.

The 38-year-old single dad then reversed his jeep into a caravan outside Councillor Sue Elam's home - and the caravan crashed into her son's car, causing £700 worth of damage.

Crowson took the action because he blamed the Mayor's husband Brian for orchestrating an event outside his Direct Interiors shop, when disgruntled customers demanded the return of deposits.

"He got together a lynch mob," Crowson told Fenland magistrates on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Marion Bastin said Brian Elam received a call from Crowson on October 9, saying: "I said if you pushed me too far, and that is what you have done, and I am coming to get you."

Crowson spoke to the police, believing it was the press, and promised them "an explosive story." Police removed Mr Elam and his son from their home at The Elms, Mrs Elam was away.

The two men returned home about 2am, and saw Crowson reverse into the caravan, which then hit the car. He immediately handed himself in to police.

"He told officers that Brian Elam got a group of customers together who stormed his premises and coerced him into handing back deposits," said Mrs Bastin. "He felt Mr Elam had used his wife's connections to get the press to attend."

Crowson, of West Park Street, Chatteris, admitted causing criminal damage. He told how he had suffered a suspected heart attack at the end of August, crashing his car. He followed doctors' advice to do nothing for two months, but received irate calls from dissatisfied customers.

"I believe it was all orchestrated by Brian Elam," he claimed. "He said I was far too cheap and I was a con."

Crowson started trading again two weeks ago, he told the court. He was ordered to carry out 70 hours of unpaid work, and pay £200 compensation and £100 costs.