British Couple’s Property Divided --With a Chainsaw

A man partly demolished his house with a chainsaw and sledgehammer Tuesday to settle a quarrel with his estranged wife over division of the property.

John Tate, 46, claimed his wife was chasing off prospective buyers of their jointly owned house. In frustration, he said he wrecked what he considered his side of the $38,400 building in South London.

“She said she was going to squat in the house. That was the last straw. This morning I took the chainsaw and took out my half,” Tate said over a beer at a nearby pub.

Nothing was left undamaged. Visitors said Tate ripped holes in the walls, made kindling of the furniture and opened a six-foot gash in the roof.

The disagreement over the sale of the house had prevented the couple, separated for four years, from reaching a divorce agreement.

“All this is like a big burden lifted off my shoulders,” Tate said. “I imagine my wife will be getting pretty angry by now, but there you are. It’s done and I’m thrilled that I finally did it.”

Tate’s wife, Gwendoline, would say only that she was very distressed.