Neighbour headbutted man in row over music

John Starrs, 55, told Leeds Crown Court yesterday he had complained in the previous days about the noise from the property in Brudenell Street, Hyde Park, Leeds, saying because of the music his "whole house was shaking."

He said he was the carer for his 23-year-old autistic son and on occasions had to calm him because of the blasting music.

He admitted he admitted he went round on July 31 and confronted one of the occupants, headbutting him twice.

Starrs admitted assault but disputed he had also taken a knife with a curved blade round and pointed it first at victim Guy Prescott's chest and then his throat but after hearing evidence from both, Judge Stephen Ashurst said he accepted Mr Prescott's account of the events.

Mr Prescott , who was then a student, said he was getting his breakfast when the neighbour walked in with what looked like a "miniature sickle" and pressed it to his chest then his throat before head butting him twice, cutting his lip and breaking a tooth.

He told the court he had only lived in the house about two weeks, had never seen Starrs before and it was only after the attack he learned there had been complaints to others there.

Starrs was sentenced to six months in jail suspended for two years with 12 months supervision.