A long-standing neighbour dispute ended in a 60-year-old man suffering a fractured eye socket.

Alan Corns attacked Derek Howard after a row erupted over the victim parking his van.

The men, who had lived next door to each other in Cope Road, Northwick, Worcester, for 11 years, had been good friends, but fell out over parking problems and hedge clippings, said Charles Hardy, prosecuting.

Corns, aged 46, pleaded guilty to wounding Mr Howard on June 7 last year.

Judge Alistair McCreath said Corns had a violent history as a young man but had put it behind him and settled down to family life.

He accepted the defendant had not intended to cause injury, which happened during a scuffle allegedly started by the victim.

“It was imprudent for you to get involved but there is unlikely to be any repetition,” the judge said at Worcester Crown Court.

Corns was sentenced to 39 weeks’ custody, suspended for two years.

He was also given a two-year community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and told to attend an anger management course.

The violence was sparked by an earlier incident when the victim overheard Corns making animal noises, which he believed were directed at him, said Mr Hardy.

But they were meant for Corns’ son because of his untidy bedroom.

Mr Howard returned home later and challenged Corns after parking his van.

Corns was said to have commented, “Isn’t it time we sorted this out?” before lashing out, either with a fist or a kick, said Mr Hardy.

The labourer had previous convictions but none for the previous 10 years.

Sarah-Jane Buckingham, for the defendant, said the neighbours had lived in peaceful harmony in the past, agreeing over a dropped kerb.

The complainant had even done work on Corns’ house – but van parking had caused “a huge problem”.

Miss Buckingham said: “He accepts responsibility for a reckless act. The complainant made a full recovery and is attempting to sell his property.”