Summerland brothers found guilty of mischief in dispute with mushroom-farming neighbour

Two brothers feuding with a mushroom farmer in Summerland have been found guilty of three criminal charges but were given a conditional sentence.

Brad and Darren Besler were both charged with mischief under $5,000 and criminal harassment in 2019, after posting physical signage and online complaints about What the Fungus Mushroom Farm, and using their trucks to fling dirt and playing loud music while guests were over.

Neither brother was convicted of criminal harassment, but both were found guilty of the lesser included offence of mischief. Only Darren was found guilty of a second charge of mischief under $5,000.

READ MORE: Verdict delayed in feud between Summerland brothers neighbouring mushroom farm

Under a nine-month probation period, the bothers must continue abiding by some of the conditions they have been under since they were charged in 2019. Those include no contact with the owner of the mushroom farm as well as three other people involved, they must not go to any place where those four people will be, and can only go near the farm if they are in a moving vehicle going somewhere.

They also both have to pay a $100 each for the victim surcharge.

“Breach those conditions and you may be subject to additional criminal consequences,” Judge Michele Daneliuk warned.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dan Walton or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.