Hull Man Sentenced for Violent Attack on Neighbour Over Loud Music Row
A Hull man has been jailed after climbing through his neighbour's window and launching a violent knife attack during a dispute over persistently loud music. Peter Lesko, 48, from east Hull, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following the incident on October 25.
Prolonged Dispute Reaches Breaking Point
The court heard that Lesko, described as a dedicated family man and long-term food factory employee, had endured months of disruption from his neighbour's loud music. The noise was reportedly so severe that it prevented his young son from sleeping, caused vibrations through the living room, and forced Lesko to increase his television volume just to hear it.
"Everyone has a breaking point," said defence barrister David McGonigal, explaining that Lesko had "completely lost it" after repeated attempts to resolve the situation peacefully. The neighbour was described as "unapproachable" and previous complaints to both police and the local council had failed to resolve the issue.
Violent Nighttime Confrontation
On the night of the attack, Lesko called police to complain about the "moderately loud" music continuing past midnight. After receiving advice to contact the council instead, and with the music and shouting persisting, Lesko went to his neighbour's property.
Initially banging on doors and windows to get attention, Lesko eventually climbed through an unlocked kitchen window. He found his neighbour dozing on the sofa after having fallen asleep while listening to music.
The attack that followed was described by prosecutors as "prolonged and determined." Lesko seized the man by his hair, slammed his head against the floor, and threatened: "You will die tonight." He then took a knife from the victim's own kitchen and repeatedly stabbed him, also striking him with a speaker that shattered during the assault.
Victim's Escape and Injuries
The victim managed to escape upstairs and lock himself in his bedroom as Lesko pursued him, attempting to break down the door. Lesko eventually returned downstairs, throwing objects around before being apprehended at his own property at 1.45am.
The injured neighbour was rushed to Hull Royal Infirmary with two wounds to the back of his right arm, along with lower back and forearm injuries. While the injuries were described as not being "too serious" in court, the psychological impact has been profound.
"This incident has made me feel scared to go back to my home," the victim stated. "You never expect your neighbour to behave in such a way. I no longer feel safe in my address. I feel unsafe and isolated. I feel I was lucky to survive with my life."
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
At Hull Crown Court, Judge John Thackray KC acknowledged that Lesko had endured a "high level of provocation" from the extremely loud music, which had significantly impacted him and his family. However, he emphasised that the violent response was completely unacceptable.
"Eventually, you lost your temper and launched a prolonged and determined attack upon your victim," Judge Thackray told Lesko. "You just completely lost it during the attack. The injuries were bad but they could have been so much worse. Your attack has had a profound effect upon your victim."
Lesko, who had no previous convictions and was described as a hard-working family man who had shown remorse, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison. He was also handed a five-year restraining order preventing contact with his former neighbour.
The court heard that Lesko and his family had already relocated from the property but still owned it and were letting it out. Originally from Slovakia, Lesko had been employed at a food company for approximately two decades and was highly respected in his workplace before this incident.
