A row over playing music too loudly culminated with a man knocking on his neighbour’s door while brandishing a golf club.
Workington Magistrates heard Court of an ongoing dispute between Robert Fitzsimmons and David Roles, who are residents in the same building at Seven Acres in Parton, Whitehaven.
Peter Kelly, prosecuting, said Fitzsimmons had felt that Mr Roles was playing music too loudly on March 25.
He had gone to Mr Roles’ flat and knocked on the door, while in possession of a golf club.
Mr Roles was able to view Fitzsimmons through a security camera. Words were exchanged and Mr Roles had shouted f*** off from my living room door”.
Mr Kelly said Fitzsimmons had moved into the property about six years ago and there had been “ongoing issues in their relationship as neighbours”.
Fitzsimmons was interviewed and said he had gone there with a golf club as protection in case an incident happened.
He said on previous occasions, Mr Roles had kicked him and come out with a bar.
Fitzsimmons, 48, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, in an agreed basis of plea with the prosecution.
A charge of using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm, or distress was withdrawn.
Sean Harkin, defending, said Fitzsimmons pleaded guilty on a basis of plea that Mr Roles was “playing music at an excessive volume” and “verbally abused him”.
Mr Harkin said Fitzsimmons had attended for the first time and then gone back to his own address. The volume had gone up, rather than down.
Fitzsimmons had then returned to the front door with a golf club as protection and knocked on the door, Mr Harkin said.
Mr Roles did not answer the door and police were then called by the defendant.
Fitzsimmons’ probation officer told the court that he had made full admissions and took responsibility for his behaviour.
The court heard that he had experienced ongoing issues with his neighbour “for some time now”.
Fitzsimmons was given an 18-month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work.
He must pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
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