Man who threw Molotov cocktails at police won't be forced to pay for fence removal

A Dutch man who threw a Molotov cocktail at police before threatening them with a bow and arrow as they tried to tear down his fence will not have to pay for the structure's removal.

Gijsbert Rider, a local from the Haelen village, became known as the 'Molotovman' after he bombarded police with the explosives as they tried to remove his fence in 2012.

Mr Rider became so agitated during the bust-up that he even threatened to use a "bow and arrow" on police, reports Dutch news service AD.NL

Today, a Dutch court ruled that Mr Rider would not have to pay the full $13,700 it cost officials to remove the fence – which had been complained about by locals and also breached height restrictions.

Following the verdict, Mr Rider and his wife, Margot Barel, agreed to sell their house to the council for $541,360.