Neighbour breaks man's nose after late night row driving row turns violent

Neighbour breaks man's nose after late night row driving row turns violent

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GB News
George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 24/01/2024

- 14:39

The pair clashed over access to their properties using the shared car lane

An argument spanning two decades between residents came to a head after the furious pensioner broke his neighbour's nose.

Derek Fisher, 79, clashed with his neighbour over access to their properties using the lane, a court heard.


The pensioner had led a trouble-free life until violence flared in the lane one evening in the long-running dispute over vehicles using the access road.

The defendant complained it was a bridleway and should not be used by vehicles because he regularly used it for walking his dog.

Belton sign

The quiet neighbourhood saw the confrontation last year

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Grimsby Crown Court heard how the neighbour had lived in the same lane for 20 years and used it for going to and from his home and hosting relatives.

The two neighbours live about 200 metres apart in Belton, near Epworth, North Lincolnshire and share the same lane for access.

Prosecuting Anthony Moore said the attack happened at 11pm on October 4. Some years ago, Fisher installed a speed bump because of concerns about the speed of vehicles using the lane, which was described as "heavily pot-holed".

There was a verbal exchange between the two men at 9.45pm on September 30. Fisher shouted at the neighbour who was in his car at the time: "This is a bridleway. No cars are allowed. The neighbour responded: "Don't be ridiculous."

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Outside Grimsby Crown Court

Grimsby Crown Court about the altercation between the two men

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On the night of the incident, there was another altercation between the two men. Moore said: "On October 4 there was an almost identical repeat of the incident.

"It was 11pm and he [Fisher] shone a light into the complainant's windscreen. The defendant did not move. The complainant swore and shouted at him to get out of the way. The defendant got worked up and angry and punched him twice in the face."

A victim impact statement for the complainant, who said he has been left with anxiety and a bent nose. His breathing had not settled since the attack and he was prone to snoring.

Mitigating, Steven Garth, said his client was retired but would pay compensation. He agreed with the judge's recommendation for a community order.

Judge Richard Woolfall told the defendant that his victim would suffer every time he had to look in the mirror and be reminded of the attack.

He said he had "hitherto had a blameless life" and references said the attack was "out of character."

The judge told Fisher that he should "turn the other cheek" in future. He ordered compensation for the victim of £1,500 and gave Fisher a 12-month community order to include 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

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