A MAN killed his brother’s fish in revenge after his sibling scrapped his van, a court was told.

Mark Ryder, aged 46, and Gary Ryder, 45, both of Worcester, appeared separately at the city’s magistrates court on Friday October 24.

Gary told deputy district judge David Stott both of them needed their “heads banging together”.

He admitted stealing his brother’s Ford Escort van and scrapping it and his sibling admitted criminal damage to property worth £892 – including two expensive fish belonging to his brother.

The two fell out after Gary accused his sibling of taking a wallet containing his driver’s licence, £640 cash and cards in January. Mark, of Rodborough Drive, Warndon, denied the accusation but the breakdown in their relationship came to a head when Gary sold his brother’s van for £70 scrap on Tuesday June 10, to recoup his losses.

The vehicle’s previous owner, Gary had sold the van to his brother but it remained parked on his driveway in Teme Road, Tolladine.

Sarah Stock prosecuting, said: “It had a SORN [statutory off-road notification) notice and had been parked at his home for a year. It wasn’t in a good condition.”

Gary did remove £1,400 worth of his brother’s tools from the van before selling it on, and these were later returned.

When Mark found out about the sale he went to his brother’s unoccupied house “in a rage,” said Ms Stock.

He smashed the front door and put his fist through its window, tossed a brick through a bathroom window and broke an outdoor rotary washing line on Wednesday, June 18.

The enraged sibling then threw a garden patio table into his brother’s pond killing two koi carp fish worth £295 each.

A neighbour called the police and Mark was arrested. He later admitting causing the damage but had no idea he had hurt the koi.

Mark Lister, defending Gary, said his client had given his brother two weeks to move the van saying, “I’m told they have made up to a large degree since.”

Mark Stanley, representing Mark, said: “They have been talking outside about their regret over how this situation spiralled out of control.”

Mr Stott said: “This is a sad state of affairs. Two brothers at war with each other in this fashion and taking up the court’s time.”

The brothers were given a two-year conditional discharge and both ordered to pay £400 compensation covering each other’s losses and £60 costs.