Neighbours' feud ended in violence

'Tramp' jibe before punch on nose

A SIMMERING feud between neighbours boiled over into violence, Newbury magistrates heard.

After posting abusive notes through victim Paul Trussler’s door, Raymond James Haycock snapped completely and punched him on the nose, the court was told on Thursday, December 17.

Helen Waite, prosecuting, asked magistrates to impose a restraining order against Mr Haycock and said: “There was an unhappy relationship between these neighbours, with Mr Trussler calling Mr Haycock a tramp.”

Mr Haycock responded by putting abusive notes through Mr Trussler’s door.

Ms Waite said: “He didn’t think Mr Trussler could read, so I don’t know what he hoped to achieve. But Mr Trussler got a neighbour, Mrs Butler, to read the notes to him.”

The feud between the pair, who live in David Smith Court, Bayford Drive, Calcot, became physical when 53-year-old Mr Haycock, in a fit of rage, went round and punched his perceived enemy, the court heard.

Mr Haycock admitted assaulting Mr Trussler by beating him on October 6. A charge of harassment was withdrawn.

Jennifer Lewin, defending, said her client, a man of previous good character, had become depressed after the book printing business which had employed him for 33 years folded, rendering him jobless.

She added: “There’s a background to this matter with a lot of animosity on both sides.

“Everything came to a head on my client's birthday – he was woken in the early hours by Mr Trussler and responded by punching him, cutting the bridge of his nose.

“Mr Haycock has suffered from depression since losing his job two years ago. A restraining order might help to draw a line under all this.”

Magistrates made Mr Haycock subject to a six-month conditional discharge.

They also imposed a restraining order on him preventing all contact with Mr Trussler for six months and ordered him to pay a £150 criminal courts charge plus £15 victim surcharge.

No order for costs was made because of Mr Haycock’s limited means.