A Newcastle pensioner repeatedly punched his neighbour in the face after a long-running dispute over a barking dog. David Leathard, 66, of Thirlington Close, Westerhope, admitted common assault at Newcastle Magistrates' Court and was handed a 12-month conditional discharge.
Attack caught on camera
The court heard that Leathard, described as a "devout Christian and practising Buddhist", approached the victim as he walked his dog in the dark and grabbed him by the shirt. He then punched him several times to the head and face, causing the victim's shirt to come off and the dog's lead to be dropped.
The victim did not retaliate and called the police after Leathard stopped and walked away. The incident was captured on a nearby ring doorbell camera, leading to Leathard's arrest.
Long-running dispute
Prosecutor Ruth Forster said the dispute had been ongoing for months because of the victim's dog barking. On February 3 this year, the victim was returning home from a walk when Leathard approached him.
Mrs Forster told the court: "The defendant said 'You need to do something about your dog barking or I will do something I don't want to do'." She added that Leathard grabbed the victim, pulled at his hat and jumper, and hit him multiple times to the head and face.
Defence and sentence
In a victim statement, the man said Leathard "has caused serious disruption to my life and has impacted my quality of life quite substantially."
Michael Crowe, defending, said Leathard had no previous convictions, did charity work, and attended church three times a week. He said the problems were largely caused by the complainant's dog, which was left unattended for long periods, and that Leathard regretted losing his temper.
As well as the conditional discharge, Leathard, a retired British Gas engineer, must pay £300 compensation, £85 costs, and a £26 victim surcharge.
