Sounds a lot like annoyed bureaucrats making a very expensive example of one guy defending what appears to be (we don't have all the facts) a harmless action, t

Sounds a lot like annoyed bureaucrats making a very expensive example of one guy defending what appears to be (we don't have all the facts) a harmless action, to teach all citizens a lesson. There was a time when repairing your own vehicle was widely applauded ... and well-supported by commerce. Maybe he could have afforded a lawyer until the $250-a-day fine began. (The modern version of Lord's vassals whipping someone.)