South Tyneside man strikes neighbour with wheelie bin after puppy 'booting' accusation
Two neighbours’ dispute ends with one striking the other with a wheelie bin, in accusations over the treatment of a puppy.
A South Tyneside man struck a neighbour with a wheelie bin when he lost his cool after she accused him of mistreating his puppy, a court heard.
Gavin Harm, 47, tripped as he pushed it towards her outside his home in Walsh Avenue, Hebburn, but regained his footing enough to propel it further forward.
The bin clipped his victim, causing a minor scratch and some redness on Thursday, April 30, leading to his arrest.
When interviewed, Harm described five years of ill feeling between them, a situation he admitted had gone downhill of late.
In video footage shown to borough magistrates, she can be heard swearing in accusing him of kicking his puppy – and he then strikes.
Prosecutor Paul Anderson said: “What happens is that he lives opposite the lady concerned or in the near vicinity.
“There’s a verbal dispute in the street. This gentleman has a puppy that’s trying to escape and he’s trying to stop it from getting into the street.
“The lady across the road says something about the way he’s treating the dog and all of this flows from that.”
Man accused by neighbour of ‘booting’ dog
In CCTC footage, the woman can be heard shouting, “You’ve booted it”, and after he attacked, adds, “He’s hit us with the bin”.
Mr Anderson added: “On it, there’s the discussion about the dog and the actions of the defendant.
“The incident with the dog sees him charge over with the wheelie bin. He seems to have lost his footing and then it hits her.
“It causes a scratch and some redness to the lady, it’s a very minor injury. What he says in interview is that this was the final straw which broke the camel’s back.
“He says that for five years he has been involved in a dispute with her and that he lost his cool and is embarrassed by his behaviour.”
David Forrester, defending Harm, who pleaded guilty to common assault, said: “We know what the level of distress was because the lady’s language continues as before.
“My friend describes the complainant as a lady, but I’d describe her language as not very ladylike. No action has been taken in relation to the dog.”
Magistrates adjourned the case for reports and granted Harm unconditional bail to be sentenced at the same court on Tuesday, June 9.