A RELAPSED alcoholic who had drunk seven pints of lager butted his neighbour after being asked to turn down his radio.

Nicholas Hartland, of St Agatha’s Road, Pershore, admitted assaulting his 25-year-old neighbour when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday, October 24.

Hartland had returned home from a night out with a male friend at about 12.15am on Saturday, September 20, turning on the radio and rousing his neighbour.

When the man knocked Hartland’s front door and “politely asked him” to turn the music down the 47-year-old became angry, according to Sarah Stock, prosecuting.

Hartland, a waste collection firm worker, first asked his neighbour to get out of his garden but then assaulted him.

Ms Stock said: “Hartland then attempted to headbutt him, followed by a series of punches and headbutts.”

The neighbour managed to block all but one of the blows leaving a red mark on his head.

Hartland’s victim eventually managed to climb over a fence out of harm’s way and called the police. When officers arrived, Hartland was uncooperative and initially gave a false name but calmed down under interview.

“He told officers he heard a knock at the door, saw red and lashed out,” according to Ms Stock.

“He said he realised he had an alcohol problem and had slipped back into drinking after five years teetotal.”

In mitigation Barry Newton said his client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Deputy district judge David Stott said: “You continue to live next door to each other and that concerns me if you are you are unable to control your drinking and relapse.”

Hartland was given a six-week jail sentence suspended for a year with a supervision and alcohol treatment requirement.

He was ordered to pay £60 costs and £200 compensation to his neighbour.