A TWO-year neighbourly dispute ended up in court when a noisy bin sparked a serious assault.

Neighbours James Corps and Glen O’Connell, both of Kingsway, Great Harwood, had been arguing two years ago over a boundary issue between their homes and, according to police, didn’t get on.

Officers said Corps, 42, had been making noise and parking cars in obstructive positions, before the incident on June 4.

Corps and his family were in their back garden when Mr O’Connell went to put rubbish in his outside bins.

In protest at the noise, he slammed his bin lid shut which ‘enraged’ Corps.

The neighbour grabbed some stepladders and climbed over the eight-foot fence and assaulted Mr O’Connell.

Police said he punched him to the floor, causing his victim’s right arm to break and then continued the assault leaving Mr O’Connell with three broken ribs.

Corps pleaded guilty to wounding at Burnley Crown Court on Wednesday day and was given 36 weeks custody, suspended for 12 months.

He was also given a six month supervision order after the court heard he had no previous convictions and was of good character.

When the Lancashire Telegraph approached Corps about the dispute he said: “I don’t speak to him. It’s all done and dusted now. I don’t want to re-open old wounds.

“It was something that just got out of hand.”