Grimsby man attacked neighbour with iron bar after falling out over vet's bill to treat dogs

A ROW over a vets bill led to a man smacking his neighbour over the head with an iron rod.

Terence Loan, 46, now of Durban Road, Grimsby admitted affray against his former neighbour, Christopher Hodgson.

The attack involved a metal bar and a hammer and came after the argument over the bill, Grimsby Crown Court heard.

Loan received a four-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months for the offence, which took place at 11am on September 6 last year.

Judge Mark Bury said: "You got into an argument and overreacted by hitting him over the head.

"I am satisfied that you are remorseful and you are now in a stable relationship with a child."

The judge added the case did not qualify for a financial penalty or costs.

Prosecuting, Nicholas Neale said both men lived harmoniously in Hainton Avenue for more than a year before tensions arose.

Loan lived in the upstairs flat with his partner and their baby and Mr Hodgson lived downstairs with his two dogs.

The prosecutor said problems first began when the baby's cries started to disturb the dogs, and Mr Hodgson, during the night.

But the actual incident happened after Loan had helped his downstairs neighbour complete some paperwork to reduce the cost of vets' treatment.

Loan had advised his neighbour about letters to The Blue Cross Animal Hospital, where his dogs were treated.

But a letter from the vet including a bill was actually received by Loan, who then wrote to his downstairs neighbour.

Mr Neale said: "It was a nasty and offensive letter. When the two men met there was an argument with each one being offensive toward the other.

"A fight took place at Mr Hodgson's door. The defendant had been doing some work to the front of his house and had tools. A metal bar and a hammer were in his possession."

Loan struck Mr Hodgson over the head with the metal bar causing him a head injury.

The two men then had a further fight on the stairs.

Mr Neale said: "The defendant's ear was bitten by Mr Hodgson. He grabbed his hammer and used it to hit Mr Hodgson."

The court heard Loan's partner got rid of the hammer, but police found it.

Mr Neale said Mr Hodgson suffered bruising to his kidneys and a cut to the back of his head.

For Loan, David Lee said his client had moved home and obtained a job.

He said: "This is a man who regrets what happened. He was not well at the time."

He added his client had undergone chemotherapy for an illness and he was awaiting test results.