A man punched his neighbour 12 times and headbutted him after he and his family allegedly suffered “years of abuse”.
Brian Barbour, 57, had a long-running feud with his neighbour at the home where he had lived for more than 30 years. But he finally snapped when his brother died and a few days later the man made an abusive comment about his death.
Barbour then headbutted his neighbour, punched him 12 times in the face and then started kicking him. North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard that he then grabbed his victim by the clothing, headbutted him and punched him to the floor.
Barbour then placed him in a headlock as he lashed out with his legs and fists, Stoke On Trent Live reports.
The court heard the victim was left with a bleeding nose, a cut lip and painful ribs. He went to hospital but left shortly after arriving due to suffering anxiety attack.
He was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months for the incident which took place in Queen’s Drive, Biddulph. Prosecutor Lee Stone said it all began when the pair exchanged words at about 12.30pm on Sunday, March 26.
He said: “The defendant saw him and started shouting at him again. The two parties exchanged words.
“Barbour grabbed the victim’s clothing, headbutted him and punched him to the face causing the victim to fall to the floor. He stood over the victim and punched him 12 times to the face before getting him up from the floor. He carried on punching him and placed him in a headlock and punched and kicked him.”
Barbour of Queen’s Drive, Biddulph, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Alan Dawson, mitigating, said Barbour had a difficult relationship with the complainant who has subjected Barbour and his family to abuse for years, with the comment about his brother being the final straw.
He said: “The defendant was in the process of arranging the funeral. There was a comment from the complainant. At that point he lost control. He approached the complainant. He struck him and the complainant went to the floor.”
