A NEIGHBOURS-from-hell dispute erupted in violence after a man was threatened with a spear.

He reacted by beating up two elderly neighbours after a row over branches cut from a tree.

Paolo Hannaway, 38, was accused by his nextdoor neighbour of trimming fir trees between their homes in Fowler Close, Maidenbower, and throwing the clippings on to her lawn.

Shortly afterwards he pushed his way into the home of 69-year-old Joyce Heendeniya, pushing her backwards and punching her shoulders.

The attack was witnessed by a her friend Ronald Pugh, 70, who also lives in the close, Crawley magistrates heard.

Louisa Taylor, prosecuting, said: "Mr Pugh tried to get in between them and Hannaway pushed him causing him to fall over a TV set.

"In a panic Mrs Heendeniya picked up an antique spear from the fireplace and threatened Hannaway.

"But he kept coming forward and jabbed himself on the point of the spear. She then fell back over a coffee table.

"Mr Pugh again tried to intervene and was punched several times, falling on to the stairs."

Both pensioners suffered facial injuries and severe bruising to their arms and bodies.

Furniture and ornaments were damaged in the struggle during the incident on August 19, the court was told.

Alistair Harper, defending, said: "It was a neighbours from hell scenario. Unfortunately he flipped.

"He very much regrets what happened and wishes he could turn back the clock. It was not a premeditated attack on two elderly people.

"Since the incident there has been no further trouble and the matter in dispute is being dealt with through other channels."

He said that Hannaway was under extreme pressure because his partner is seriously ill with cancer.

Hannaway, a sales manager, was found guilty at an earlier hearing of assaulting both elderly victims and of causing criminal damage to items in Mrs Heendeniya's home.

He was ordered to do 200 hours community service and pay Mrs Heendeniya £300 compensation, Mr Pugh £350 compensation and £215 compensation for the damaged items. He was also told to pay £200 prosecution costs.

Hannaway refused to comment as he left court.

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