A man suffered bleeding on the brain after he was punched by a neighbour outside a party and struck his head on the ground.

Leeds Crown Court heard today Scott Needham and the victim Eton Brewins had both been at the leaving party for another neighbour in Field Head, Shepley, in May when there was an argument between them.

Christopher Dunn prosecuting said most of the cul-de-sac had attended the party but only a few couples were left talking and drinking in a gazebo at one house into the early hours of May 6 when the dispute arose.

That stemmed back to a previous incident when Needham’s wife had rung him after a funeral upset at something involving Mr Brewins and his partner.

Mr Dunn said it was thought that was sorted in the past but “must have been bubbling under the surface because it resurfaced when the parties were in drink.”

The argument escalated and the two men went out into the street and “squared up”, he said. Others tried to intervene but both were being aggressive and were “fronting each other up.”

Needham then punched the other man once knocking him to the floor and when Mr Brewins got up he accepted going towards Needham saying he was going to “rip” his head off and it was then he was again punched by Needham this time to the nose and when he fell he banged his head.

Mr Dunn said Needham was immediately concerned for the other man unconscious in the road and told others to call for an ambulance while he remained with him.

Mr Brewins was taken to hospital where a CT scan showed bleeding to the left side of his brain. He was kept in hospital for observation for 72 hours and was subsequently seen again after suffering headaches.

The injury had a “significant” impact on his life since with him still suffering memory issues and unable to work.

Carl Kingsley representing Needham told the court the father of two was remorseful about what had happened to his neighbour. Fortunately there had been no problems between them since and their children still played together.

He said Needham was in full-time employment and was highly unlikely to trouble the courts in the future.

Needham, 34, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm to Mr Brewins and was given a 16 months prison sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay “a token” £1500 compensation to his neighbour.

Judge James Spencer QC said he accepted he had been a responsible member of the community until that night when after drinking between 7pm and 2am he acted out of character.

“I’m quite satisfied the two of you both wanted to fight, fools the two of you with too much drink inside of you.”

He said the first time Needham punched the other man he got up but the second time he suffered a serious injury.

 “It seems you are still neighbours, your children are playing together and there has been no repetition that’s to the credit of both Mr Brewins and yourself.”