Ex Central Fruits trader fined for slashing former partner's tyres

Shane Gilkes, 41, of Winding Way, Bemerton Heath, pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on Friday, July 12.

Gilkes was fined £166 and ordered to pay £210 compensation to Matthew Sherman. He also had to pay a £66 surcharge.

The pair previously worked together under the brand Central Fruits but they went their separate ways earlier this year.

Gilkes took a blade to the tyres of two Central Fruits vans which were parked in Central Car Park for a busy day of market trading on Tuesday, March 5.

Read more: ​Central Fruits owner fears safety after 'targeted' tyre slash attack

CCTV operators saw a man dressed in black jacket - now known to be Gilkes - walk between Mr Sherman's vans before leaving in a black van.

Business owner Mr Sherman, a father-of-two from Salisbury, returned to the car park where he was met with the shocking realisation that his property had been vandalised.

Tyres of Central Fruits vans were slashed on Tuesday, March 5. (Image: Central Fruits)

An emergency mobile mechanic arrived to replace the two tyres but Mr Sherman didn't leave the car park until 7pm, long after he was due to finish as he started work at 5am that day.

Mark Sherman, 61, also works for Central Fruits and said he just wants to be left alone to get on with his business.

Mr Sherman's customers "could not believe it" when he told them someone had vandalised his vans.

"It's just ridiculous, it's totally out of order and I think our customers should be aware of what's happened," said Mr Sherman.

"We don't know why he did it. We just want an end to this; to be left alone and to be able to look after our customers."

Shane Gilkes (right) criminally damaged Matt Sherman's (left) vans. (Image: Spencer Mulholland)

In a message to his customers, Mr Sherman previously described the slashing as a "cowardly attack".

He added: "They can slash my tyres but the person who done this won’t slash my passion, drive and enthusiasm to put my business on the map.

"It makes me stronger and gives me more determination to smash this on my own."

Central Fruits delivers an average of 35 fruit and vegetable parcels on behalf of Salisbury Foodbank to people in need every Wednesday and Gilkes' actions put this at risk.

Matt Sherman, of Central Fruits, pictured centre, with Chas Kimber and Maria Stevenson of Salisbury Foodbank (Image: File)

Salisbury Foodbank manager Maria Stevenson said: "This is an additional project that Salisbury Foodbank fund for people accessing the foodbank in Salisbury and the surrounding area.

"The benefit to the people we support and the service Central Fruits provide is immeasurable."

Days after the incident, Matt Sherman told the Journal: "I'm always trying to give back as well as make a living but I can't be left alone to do that unfortunately.

"All I want to do is be left alone, do my job and be loved by my wife and kids."