Neighbour uses sledgehammer to attack woman next door's home after row over garden fence

Howell placed bricks on his side of the wall to increase the size, however his neighbour then pushed them off as she felt they were a “hazard”, North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard.

The 86-year-old, in a rage, went over to her home and hit the door with a sledgehammer. He then wielded the tool above his head, which left his neighbour terrified and scared of being “harmed” by Howell.

The victim fitted a camera to have video evidence if there was any trouble, who claimed that Howell had also previously caused damage to the fence.

Howell pleaded guilty to using threatening words or behaviour and was given 12-month conditional discharge.

Prosecutor Lee Stone said: "They share a fence. The victim says he has caused damage to the fence before.

“On January 25 the defendant placed breeze blocks along the top of the fence. The victim had pushed them off. She felt they were a hazard.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Pensioner reprimanded by police after chasing down and shouting at vandals who broke gate
• Neighbour warned children to stay away from 'dangerous' XL Bullys ahead of fatal attack
• Neighbour gets ultimate revenge on house next door blaring loud music on week night

“The defendant appeared at the property holding a sledgehammer. He hit the door causing damage to the door frame.

“The victim approached the defendant. She says he threatened her with the sledgehammer. He wielded it towards her in a threatening motion. She felt she was going to be caused harm by the defendant."

Mark Bromley, mitigating, said: “He built a wall on his side of the boundary and the neighbour’s attached wooden fencing. She has run lights off the top of the fencing.

"He intended to build up his wall on his side. He went to fetch his tools. He found the bricks had been pushed over onto his side.

Bromley said the pushed bricks “triggered” Howell to go round to his next door neighbour’s property and wield the tool in a threatening manner.

He said that since the incident in January, there have been no further disturbances.

Speaking of Howell and his wife, who have lived in the bungalow for 46 years, Bromley added: “They just want to live a quiet and peaceful life. They just want to live the rest of their life in peace.”

Deputy District Judge Andrew Teate described the disturbance as an isolated incident and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £26 surcharge.

Concluding, he said: “There are always two sides to every story. Given your age and lack of offending something must have riled you on that day.

“Something must have caused you to act in the manner you did. You banged on the door forcefully. When she came from the address you raised the hammer over your head.”