Military historian Alexander Binda, 80, who 'snapped' in parking feud is given conditional discharge after smashing neighbours' cars

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Alexander Binda, an 80-year-old decorated military historian and author of four books on the Rhodesian infantry, was caught on camera smashing two cars with a steel scaffolding pole during a months-long parking feud with hotelier neighbours in Rothbury, Northumberland. Newcastle Crown Court gave him an 18-month conditional discharge after Judge Robert Spragg said there were "clearly two sides" to the dispute. Binda pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage and was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation at £50 a month.

The parking row had grown so severe that Binda and his wife June felt suicidal under the stress, the court heard.

The two hoteliers, who each faced a common assault charge involving Binda and his wife arising from a 2024 dispute, were cleared — but have since left the hotel due to anxiety and depression.