A NEIGHBOURS dispute over the playing of loud music on New Year s Eve led to two men being injured in a fracas, magistrates heard this week. David Harris had played the music all day, and when neighbour Stephen Pinfold went to complain he took a hoe hand

A NEIGHBOURS' dispute over the playing of loud music on New Year's Eve led to two men being injured in a fracas, magistrates heard this week.

David Harris had played the music all day, and when neighbour Stephen Pinfold went to complain he took a hoe handle with him.

Harris had some kind of cane, and by the end of the incident Mr Pinfold had a head injury that needed gluing, and Harris' hand was hurt.

Harris, 36, of Martin's Lane, Witcham, appeared before Ely magistrates on Thursday, after denying that he assaulted Mr Pinfold on New Year's Eve 2004, causing him actual bodily harm.

The court dismissed the charge when Harris agreed to be bound over to keep the peace for three years in the sum of £1,000, especially towards Mr Pinfold and Jacqueline Neal.

The parties were no longer neighbours, said Flynn Jennings, prosecuting.

"His neighbours have been traumatised and had to leave the house," he explained.

Solicitor Frank Squire said Harris would have claimed self defence if the trial had gone ahead, and the prosecutor agreed that Mr Pinfold had carried a hoe handle during the incident.

"The complainant went to the defendant's home at 10.30pm, there had already been words," said Mr Squire. "The complainant was really angry and at breaking point, standing there with a piece of wood in his hand."

He said Harris had suffered from paranoia and "strange ideas" but was now totally different and very positive.