A SICK man who was assaulted during a neighbour s dispute over noise has been awarded �75 compensation by a court. Barry Harman – who has suffered from a stroke and high blood pressure – was pushed by his next door neighbour Graham McCann during a doorste

A SICK man who was assaulted during a neighbour's dispute over noise has been awarded �75 compensation by a court.

Barry Harman - who has suffered from a stroke and high blood pressure - was pushed by his next door neighbour Graham McCann during a doorstep row.

Retired Mr Harman, who takes anti-depressant medication and has installed extra security at his home, told Ely magistrates in a victim statement: "I used to love my flat, but it doesn't feel like home any more.

He also said he "felt like a prisoner" in his Chiefs Street flat, and was "constantly looking over his shoulder".

The fracas began when McCann rang Mr Harman's door bell on July 17 and said he had a catalogue to deliver, said Laura Mardell, prosecuting.

"The defendant appeared drunk and smelled of beer," she said. "He was verbally abusive, and accused Mr Harman of banging about his property at night."

Forty-year-old McCann put his foot in Mr Harman's door, and tried to push Mr Harman out of the way, so he could get into the flat.

McCann swung a punch, but Mr Harman dodged out of the way, and two of Mr Harman's friends told McCann to leave, and tried to stand between the two men.

Mr Harman did not suffer any visible injuries, but suffers from shortage of breath and high blood pressure, added Miss Mardell. An ambulance was called, but he did not need hospital treatment.

Solicitor Guy Holland said the two men had been neighbours for four years, and McCann claims that Mr Harman is an "extremely noisy neighbour."

"He went to speak to Barrry Harman because of noise issues. He though Mr Harman was going to punch him, so he gave a pre-emptive push.

"McCann is partially sighted after having a tumour on his optic nerve, and suffers from anxiety and depression."

The court gave McCann an 18-month conditional discharge, and he must pay compensation and �100 court costs.