Car damaged by apple, Axminster

AN AXMINSTER man was left exhausted - after his car was damaged when a fruity offender stuck an apple in its exhaust pipe.

AN AXMINSTER man was left exhausted - after his car was damaged when a fruity offender stuck an apple in its exhaust pipe.

Philip Meyer, 43, is seething to the core after damaging his starter motor because he cranked the engine – unaware it was a fruitless venture.

He called the AA out to look at his Ford Mondeo car, at his home in Bonners Glen, and the mechanic was also stumped for about an hour.

Mr Meyer said: “I couldn’t understand why an otherwise roadworthy car wouldn’t start and was angry at the time. It’s enough to make me want to turn to cider.

“I think youngsters did it for a laugh, but I would warn people against it because it can do damage to the vehicle.

“It’s going to cost me money to fix it, which I can ill afford.

“Some people could be dependent on their vehicles, particularly in emergency, so it can be a serious matter.”

Pc Darren Herridge said it was criminal damage and such matters were treated seriously.

He said: “This sort of behaviour is unacceptable and it could have had much more serious implications. The owner could have had problems while in the car or the car could have caught fire.

“The seriousness of such actions should not be underestimated.”