Police in the eastern town of Sonneberg said on Friday the trained mason measured the single-storey summer house - which was some eight metres long and six metres wide - before chainsawing through the wooden roof and walls.

"The man said he was just taking his due, " said a police spokesman. "But I don't think his wife was too pleased."

After finishing the job, the man picked up his half with the forklift truck and drove to his brother's house where he has since been staying.