Garden Wars

A Russian man, who planted landmines in his garden to defend it from intruders, has been convicted to two-and-a-half years suspended sentence on weapons charges, prosecutors said on Friday. Alexander Skopintsev, a resident of the far eastern Primorye region near Russia's border with China, built three explosive traps in his garage last July and planted them around his garden, Primorye region prosecutors said. "During the court hearings, Skopintsev testified that he had prepared the explosive devices to protect his garden against thieves," a statement said. Police arrested him after a trespasser set off one of the landmines in August and was injured, spokeswoman for the prosecutors Irina Nomokonova said.