A BLACKWELL couple were fined and handed a restraining order after a long-running neighbours dispute ended in court.

Redditch magistrates had already found Stephen and Rachael Rees, of Badger Way in Blackwell, guilty of assaulting neighbour John Carrington and his friend Casimiro Amato at Blackwell Social Club on May 8, 2004.

Mr Amato was left with a black eye, while Mr Carrington suffered severe soreness and swelling to his chest area.

At a prior hearing at Kidderminster magistrates court, Mr Rees was also found guilty of harassing Mr Carrington's wife Toni. He is said to have verbally tormented Mrs Carrington on several occasions.

On Monday, Kidderminster magistrates ruled that Mr and Mrs Rees should refrain from communicating with Mr and Mrs Carrington for 12 months.

The couple were handed fines of £250 each for the assault, while Mr Rees was fined a further £150 for the harassment charge.

They were also ordered to pay a combined total of £400 compensation to Mr and Mrs Carrington, and £275 costs.

Chair of the magistrates Colin Emeny said the punishment "reflected the seriousness of the prolonged harassment", and that 12 months would be sufficient time for either or both of the couples to move out of the area.

A court had previously heard that the two couples did not get on.

Mr and Mrs Rees denied the claims, insisting they had, in fact, been assaulted at Blackwell Social Club, and that they retaliated to protect themselves.

Mr Rees argued that Mr Amato had struck him and forcefully shoved him to the floor, while Mrs Rees said that she was 'backhanded' across the face and shoved by Mr Carrington.

However, magistrates said they did not believe the couple had been acting in self-defence. The couple did not wish to comment following the verdict.