Buddhist Monk Jailed After Slashing Tyres Because He Trod On Insect

A Buddhist monk went on a tyre slashing rampage because he stood on an INSECT, a court has heard.

Julian Glew, 45, became angry and guilt-wracked after crushing the bug and decided to vent his frustration by piercing 162 tyres over a few days.

Glew, who formerly lived in a buddhist monastery, has lived in a tent in the woods for nearly a decade.

But he was arrested several days after the incident last September in Pocklington, East Yorks, following a successful police CCTV appeal.

Glew pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage last September and was originally due to be sentenced on October 14, but instead went on the run for three months before he was eventually arrested by officers in West Yorkshire earlier this month.

Appearing via videolink at Beverley Magistrates Court on Wednesday, he was sentenced to 11 weeks in prison.

District Judge Fred Rutherford said: ‘When interviewed by police he said he was angry and wanted to take his frustration out on society without hurting people.

‘He lives in the woods and is detached from society. He has lived that existence for 20 years and previously lived in a Buddhist monastery.

‘I have noted the facts of this case, but I am still left here with someone who says he did not want to hurt anyone but went out of his way to affect 162 people by causing them massive financial inconvenience.

‘He targeted vehicles randomly and slashed the tyres, that is not the actions of a person who lives for a peaceful co-existence.’

Joanne Markham, mitigating, said Glew had previously suffered from mental health issues.

Miss Markham said: ‘He has indicated that he feels he should go to prison for what he has done. He has no previous incidents on his record and he lives without means, not claiming any benefits.’

Glew pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage and failing to surrender.

Inspector Joanne York, of Humberside Police, added: ‘Sentencing Julian Glew to 11 weeks in custody is good news for the residents of Pocklington and justice has been seen to be done.

‘Vehicles were damaged over two nights in Pocklington in September 2015 which caused widespread upset and concern to the residents of Pocklington at the time.

‘The incidents caused great inconvenience and financial loss to all those victims.’