Mansfield man ‘snapped' and attacked neighbour after five years of noise complaints

Matthew Byrne burst out of his home on Fiskerton Court and shouted, "What the f*** are you doing to my car?" before shoving the man to the ground on April 27.

Oreshia Thomas, prosecuting, said his victim was “left helpless” because of a back injury and Byrne, aged 58, began punching him in the head and face.

Byrne was “fully on top of him,” and his victim was unable to get him off as the defendant was “bigger and stronger” than him.

He called for help and Byrne was finally removed by the victim's wife and another neighbour. He was left with cuts and bruising, as well as swelling to the top of his head and severe back pain.

The court heard Byrne has one relevant conviction from 18 years ago.

Ryan Higginbotham, mitigating, said the incident was part of an ongoing neighbours’ dispute but "he acknowledges that it doesn't excuse his actions.”

He said Byrne has made 61 separate noise complaints to the council over the last five years and contacted his MP.

“He saw someone bending down near his car,” Mr Higginbotham said. “It was “a snap” on his part. It is certainly not something he planned on carrying out.”

He said the software engineer has been signed off from work because of medical issues and added that it was an isolated incident.

Byrne admitted assault by beating when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He was fined £200 with £200 compensation, and an £80 surcharge.