Ex-prison guard invents spike-lined tyre shredder to deter motorists after inconsiderate drivers ruined his grass verge

Published: 22:24, 10 May 2026 | Updated: 22:24, 10 May 2026 With his verge damaged by cars being parked at the edge of his property, Kevin Pringle set out to spike the inconsiderate drivers. And the ex-prison officer has done just that – by inventing a fence fitted with barbs that deflate tyres. Mr Pringle, 64, has patented the picket-style Smart Fence, which features hidden spikes that activate when a vehicle hits them – much like a police stinger. He said that when he bought his cul-de-sac semi 'the grass verge that goes to the road was in a bit of a mess'.  'Once I'd made it tidy, I found people were using it as an extension to the carriageway,' Mr Pringle added.  He spent years researching designs as he wanted to ensure his fence wouldn't 'hurt little Johnny on his bicycle'. He said: 'The plastic fence covers the spikes and the only way to expose them is with enough weight on top of them to break the plastic.  'The driver will not be able to drive away, leaving the damage for the land owner to repair.'  Kevin Pringle, pictured, with his special invention - a fence fitted with barbs that deflate tyres Mr Pringle's verge has been damaged by cars being parked at the edge of his property The former prison guard has  patented the picket-style Smart Fence, which features hidden spikes, pictured, that activate when a vehicle hits them – much like a police stinger Mr Pringle, of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, thinks the Smart Fence could be used by councils to deter illegal encampments or by estates, schools and hotels. It costs £40 per half metre. He said he has sought advice about whether users could be held liable for damage to cars.  'If I try to jimmy your door with a screwdriver and it breaks, you don't have to pay me for damages,' he said.  'Tearing up a garden is criminal damage. If you're committing criminal damage and you damage your tools, it's your responsibility.'  Insurance broker CIA Landlord said parking on a drive without consent was not illegal parking but trespassing, a civil, not criminal, offence. A Milton Keynes spokesman said: 'Under the law, items can't be placed on public highway land without proper authorisation.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.