A HOUSEHOLDER who attacked a neighbour with a wine bottle because his house was filthy has been shown mercy by a judge.

Michael Marshall, 56, had repeatedly complained about the condition of Dennis Hart’s terraced house next door, including rubbish dumped in the house and damp seeping through his property because roof repairs hadn't been done.

Over a two-year period Marshall had complained several times to Kirklees Council who served notice on Mr Hart, while the RSPCA had attended and removed five cats from the house but the problems continued, a court was told.

Marshall had unsuccessfully tried to sell his house in Batley, because of the situation, and then attacked Mr Hart.

Leeds Crown Court was told by Tony Kelbrick, prosecuting, that Marshall hit Mr Hart on the head with an empty wine bottle.

He suffered two black eyes and was left dizzy and in pain.

Marshall, who admitted unlawful wounding, was given a community order with supervision and 100 hours unpaid work.

Judge Sally Cahill QC said she had considered carefully what made a man of his age of previous impeccable character commit such serious offences.

She said: “From the evidence I am therefore able to accept what is put before me, that is you were finding it difficult to live in these circumstances while your neighbour so clearly had complete disregard for the comfort of you and others in the street.

“That does not excuse you going round and behaving as you did.”