ONE of Dr WhoÕs Daleks has been convicted of an extermination rampage, slashing tyres and pouring paint stripper over his former palÕs collection of cars at a garage outside Petersfield

Facing each other across a courtroom were the defendant, TV actor Howard Rice and the victim, daredevil pilot Peter Diamond Ð who achieved notoriety when he whisked disgraced Polly Peck millionaire Asil Nadir to exile in Cyprus.

Rice was arrested in a police sting after he embarked on at least 17 separate attacks on Mr DiamondÕs car lot at Stroud.

He was convicted on Tuesday of maliciously damaging cars belonging to Mr Diamond, his ex-business partner and friend of 20 years.

It was the last thing expected of an actor who entertained millions in the Terry and June spin-off, Happy Ever After, and played a Dalek in Dr Who.

The late-night acts of vengeance took place in the heart of the Hampshire countryside as Rice, donning a Groucho Marx moustache, wig and hooded anorak, poured paint removers over cars, magistrates at Alton, were told.

Mr Diamond said he believed the act was a culmination of a five-year long rift which began shortly after he returned from Cyprus where he had been with Mr Nadir.

Speaking after the trial, Mr Diamond said: ÒI just donÕt know why he did it. I think he was disappointed that IÕd come back from Cyprus without any money.

ÒI still donÕt know if this all stemmed out of the Nadir thing, or if he was just angry that IÕd opened up a salesroom so near to Petersfield, where he operated a couple.

ItÕs a shame such a long friendship ended this way.Ó

Mr Diamond, 61, stayed with Nadir for five years after discovering the Serious Fraud Office wanted to charge him with conspiracy.

When Mr Diamond finally returned home he served nine months in prison.

He then opened a garage selling used cars in Stroud.

The very week he opened his showroom in May 2000, he began to suffer from a string of mystery attacks which left his cars damaged and their tyres slashed.

As the attacks became more frequent, Hampshire Police stepped up their surveillance until a sting operation in April, 2002, led to RiceÕs arrest.

Giving evidence, Mr Diamond said: ÒThe whole thing cost me more than £12,000.Ó

Inspector Steve Sargent of Petersfield Police mounted surveillance outside the garage and on April 16, 2000, spotted Rice walking away.

Insp Sargent said: ÒI got a fleeting glimpse at a man. He was wearing a false moustache and a hooded anorak which I thought was odd, because it was a warm April night.Ó

He then pursued Rice for 15 miles to Winchester where a search of his car produced a wig, a can of Mister Muscle oven cleaner, freshly stained rubber gloves, sunglasses, a rounders bat and a six-inch knife.

Semi-retired Rice, who makes a living renovating houses and selling cars, was still wearing Wellington boots and the hooded anorak when he was stopped.

Rice claimed he had spent the evening

in a public house in RowlandÕs Castle,

where a plumber acquaintance

was playing in a band.

Denying causing criminal damage, well-spoken Rice said: ÒIÕve known Peter for 25 years and our friendship was like a marriage. Recently, it had cooled.

ÒI put him up for six months when he came back. He was in a terrible state, often crying. He would look at me and say Ôyou have everythingÕ.

ÒSo when I saw him on his forecourt that night, I thought it would be a nice idea to say hello. But then I thought no, perhaps it was too late and it would be inconvenient, so I turned round and carried on driving to Winchester.Ó

He told the court that the wig found tucked into a woollen hat had been bought as part of a fancy-dress costume for a QueenÕs jubilee celebration.

He added: ÒI hadnÕt decided whether I was going to be one of the Worzels or Benny from Crossroads. But I dressed up, and even raised £45 for charity.Ó

Rice had an explanation for each of the items found in his car, including that Mister Muscle was ÒwonderfulÓ for getting rubbish off alloy wheels.

He also claimed that Mr Diamond had thugs beat him up over the damage, resulting in a four-day stay in hospital.

Rice, of Perseus Place, Waterlooville, was ordered by magistrates to pay a total of £2,100 in fines, compensation and costs.

Sentencing him, District Judge Gareth Cowling said: ÒIt is sad to see a man in his 60s and of previously good character being convicted of offences of this sort.

ÒThis offence is serious because it was clearly planned. We cannot tolerate the going around and performing of personal vendettas for whatever reason, and the courts will not put up with it.Ó