A row over playing music too loudly culminated with a man knocking on his neighbor’s door while brandishing a golf club.
Workington Magistrates heard Court of an ongoing dispute between Robert Fitzsimmons and David Roles, who are residents in the same building at Seven Acres in Parton, Whitehaven.
Peter Kelly, prosecuting, said Fitzsimmons had felt that Mr Roles was playing music too loudly on March 25.
He had gone to Mr. Roles’ flat and knocked on the door, while in possession of a golf club.
Mr. Roles was able to see Fitzsimmons through a security camera. Words were exchanged and Mr Roles had shouted f*** off from my living room door”.
Mr Kelly said Fitzsimmons had moved into the property about six years ago and there had been “ongoing issues in their relationship as neighbours”.
Fitzsimmons was interviewed and said he had gone there with a golf club as protection in case an incident happened.
He said on previous occasions, Mr Roles had kicked him and came out with a bar.
Fitzsimmons, 48, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, in an agreed basis of plea with the prosecution.
A charge of using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behavior to cause harassment, alarm, or distress was withdrawn.
Sean Harkin, defending, said Fitzsimmons pleaded guilty on the basis of a plea that Mr Roles was “playing music at an excessive volume” and “verbally abused him”.
Mr Harkin said Fitzsimmons had attended for the first time and then went back to his own address. The volume had gone up, rather than down.
Fitzsimmons then returned to the front door with a golf club as protection and knocked on the door, Mr Harkin said.
Mr Roles did not answer the door and the police were then called by the defendant.
Fitzsimmons’ probation officer told the court that he had made full admissions and took responsibility for his behavior.
The court heard that he had experienced ongoing issues with his neighbor “for some time now”.
Fitzsimmons was given an 18-month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work.
He must pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
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