A TREE surgeon smashed up the home of a friend who failed to honour his promises of work, a court heard yesterday.

Harrogate magistrates heard how Duncan Wallace's anger erupted into a spate of damage after he became convinced he had been duped.

He smashed windows of a porch and door at the Harrogate home of long-time friend Robin Yates and then turned his attentions to a kitchen door and table, causing damage totalling £556.

Wallace, 37, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and was ordered to do 100 hours of community service work and to pay £50 costs.

Cliff Farndon, representing Wallace, of St George's Road, Harrogate, said his client was offered regular work by Mr Yates last October.

But, after five weeks, during which time Wallace turned down the offer of another job out of loyalty and lent Mr Yates specialist saws, ropes and other tools, no job had materialised.

"He was given bland assurances that something would be sorted out, but it eventually became clear to Wallace that he was not going to get any work," said Mr Farndon.

"He felt that, along with his equipment, he had been used. He resented treatment which he did not see as the act of a friend."

Wallace went to get his tools back, but he claimed he received a hostile reception and lost control of his temper.