Digger driver goes on £700,000 rampage as they flip over fully-loaded 44-ton lorry

Digger driver goes on £700,000 rampage, flips over fully-loaded 44-ton lorry, throws around a Transit van and smashes through offices after ‘work row’

  • Mark Green, 44, appeared at Reading Magistrates Court yesterday charged with criminal damage
  • A digger driver went on a rampage at Paynes Metal Recycling plant in Iver, Buckinghamshire, on Wednesday
  • Allegedly a ‘long-standing employee’ who was in a dispute with the firm after suffering a bereavement
  • Pictures show the yard in the aftermath as one fully loaded lorry lays on its side and vehicles left with holes
  • Do you know the digger driver? Email [email protected]  

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A digger driver has smashed up £700,000 worth of lorries, vans and offices during a rampage at a recycling yard over a ‘work row’.

Mark Green, 44, appeared at Reading Magistrates Court yesterday charged with criminal damage, using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance, and driving a motor vehicle otherwise in accordance with a licence.

He was a ‘long-standing’ employee and used a digger to destroy vehicles left at Paynes Metal Recycling in Iver, Buckinghamshire at 6.15am on Wednesday, The Sun reported.

Shocking images show the yard in the wake of the attack. Green was accused of smashing through a series of portable cabins while terrified staff were still trapped inside.

Mark Green, 44, appeared at Reading Magistrates Court yesterday charged with criminal damage. Pictured, a lorry was pulled over

Four cabins were shredded and an articulated Scania lorry was pictured on its side during the dramatic attack

Four cabins were shredded and an articulated Scania lorry was pictured on its side during the dramatic attack

The driver then used the yellow digger to flip a fully-loaded 44-ton lorry, according to reports.

A white Ford Transit van was ‘thrown around like a Dinky toy’ and a Range Rover was left with a gaping hole.

Four cabins were shredded and an articulated Scania lorry was pictured on its side.

Workers were on site yesterday ahead of the clean up operation. A member of staff said: ‘He had worked there for years and then this happened. It has really shocked everyone.’

A white Ford Transit van was 'thrown around like a Dinky toy' and a Range Rover was left with a gaping hole

A white Ford Transit van was ‘thrown around like a Dinky toy’ and a Range Rover was left with a gaping hole

One source claimed the man who carried out the attack was in dispute with someone at the firm (pictured), which was set up in 2005 by Roy Charles Payne

One source claimed the man who carried out the attack was in dispute with someone at the firm (pictured), which was set up in 2005 by Roy Charles Payne

Another worker said there was a ‘bereavement’ but would not comment further.

One source claimed the man who carried out the attack was in dispute with someone at the firm, which was set up in 2005 by Roy Charles Payne. 

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: ‘A man has been charged with one count each of criminal damage, using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance, and driving a motor vehicle otherwise in accordance with a licence.

‘The charges are in connection with an incident that took place in which a man used an excavator to damage vehicles and buildings at Paynes Metal Recycling.’

The 44-year-old, from Denham, Bucks, did not enter any pleas and he was remanded in custody to appear at Reading crown court on May 31.

The company owner, Mr Payne, 70, died recently.