Tom Hanks Hires Armed Guard To Watch Builder 8/5/08

Tom Hanks' feud with an Idaho builder is continuing to cause tension between the two parties, after the Hollywood actor hired an armed guard to keep an eye on the contractor.

The Castaway star and his wife Rita Wilson recently lost an attempt to sue Gary Storey, the owner of Storey Construction, for $2.5 million (£1.25 million) over claims the builder messed up renovations on their $10 million (£5 million) home in Sun Valley, Idaho in 2002.

The case was thrown out of court because the couple had already taken the accused to arbitration in 2003, and lost. Hanks and Wilson plan to appeal the decision, and Storey has been granted permission to return to the site to collect evidence in his defense.

Hanks has employed a gun-carrying guard to follow Storey around at all times when he is on their property - but the move has infuriated the builder after a potentially fatal accident occurred recently.

The stars claim the minder is necessary after Storey once attempted to raid the home at dawn - accusations the constructor has refuted. Storey's lawyer says, "The other day, the guy (guard) tripped and fell with his gun on him.

It could have gone off and had fatal consequences. It is inconceivable that Tom Hanks, who claims to be the voice of the little people, could tolerate this."