A quiet afternoon in the prestigious Poundbury development turned violent when a pensioner was brutally assaulted by his neighbour in a dispute that had been festering for months over an unpleasant odour.
The Violent Confrontation
Peter Gillett, 83, found himself on the receiving end of what prosecutors described as a 'sucker punch' from his neighbour, 66-year-old Michael James. The attack occurred in the upmarket Dorchester community, known for its royal connections and architectural significance.
According to court testimony, the situation escalated dramatically when Mr Gillett's husband, 76-year-old Bryan Gillett, attempted to intervene by pointing his walking stick "like a rifle" at the aggressor.
Roots of the Conflict
The court heard how the neighbourly relationship had deteriorated over complaints about smells emanating from Mr Gillett's property. What began as minor grievances eventually boiled over into physical violence on that fateful day.
"This was not a spontaneous argument," the prosecutor stated. "There was a history of tension between the parties regarding environmental issues that ultimately led to this shocking physical assault."
Community Shock in Royal Development
The incident has sent ripples through Poundbury, the experimental urban extension to Dorchester built on Duchy of Cornwall land according to Prince Charles's architectural principles. Residents expressed surprise that such violence could occur in their typically peaceful community.
Michael James admitted to charges of assault by beating when he appeared before Weymouth Magistrates' Court. The case continues as authorities determine appropriate sentencing for the attack that left one pensioner injured and a community questioning how neighbourly disputes can escalate to such extremes.
