Husband sinks yacht to stop wife selling it

A spurned husband has been accused of sinking a £100,000 yacht to stop his ex selling it cheap.

Mark Bridgwood allegedly used an axe on the 35ft ketch Rebel at its berth in Dartmouth after his wife Tracey advertised it for £40,000.

The attack destroyed the seacock, the device that pumps water from the engine. As a result, the yacht sank, leaving only parts of the two masts above water.

Mrs Bridgwood, 42, a waitress at a Dartmouth hotel, and her husband are believed to be in the process of a divorce.

"It was a beautiful boat and he sank it," she said. "What more can I say? I am really fed up with it all. There was an argument between us."

The yacht was advertised in the Torquay-based Herald Express for £40,000 for "a quick sale".

The advertisement read: "Ocean going 35ft sail boat. Fibre glass. All the extras. Make a nice river side home. Owner must sell quickly. Hence £40,000. Any quick cash offer seriously considered."

Capt David White, the harbourmaster at Dartmouth, said the couple would be asked to meet the £10,000 cost of the salvage operation.

A police spokesman said: "As far as we are concerned, no crime has been committed and it is a matter for the harbour authorities."