A MAN threatened to kill his neighbour before attempting to stab him with a broken fence post, a jury heard.

Gordon Bell, 54, of Roman Way, Stretton Sugwas, was found guilty by a jury after trial at Hereford Crown Court of criminal damage and affray towards neighbour Emanuel Spencer.

He was also found not guilty of assault by beating of Mr Spencer.

Andrew Williams, prosecuting, said that on August 8, 2016, the relationship between the neighbours had broken down.

“There was bad blood between them but none of that excuses what happened that day,” said Mr Williams.

“Mr Spencer was outside his property when he was aware of the defendant outside in his car. Without any warning Bell approached him, was abusive and aggressive towards him.

“He said something like ‘I’m going to kill you, I have had enough of you’ before punching him.

“There was a bit of a grapple to prevent any further violence and both went away.”

Mr Spencer told the jury that he had to restrain his neighbour as he was ‘like a man possessed’ and police were called.

But, soon afterwards, Mr Spencer heard Bell shouting and saw him damage his fence and break it up.

Mr Spencer said he was standing in his doorway waiting for police to arrive when Bell came towards him with the piece of fence and went to hit him.

He claimed that Bell then went to stab him with the sharp end of the fence and he jumped back to avoid it.

Mr Spencer said that he was ‘emotionally traumatised’ by the incident.

On arrival police saw the broken fence post and went to speak to Bell at his home.

They described Bell as acting strangely and continuing to shout threatening words towards Mr Spencer. He said ‘you better lock me up or I will kill him’.

The court heard the defendant was arrested and, in interview, agreed to making the comments to police because he had been ‘cross’.

He told police that he had been attacked first with Mr Spencer headbutting him. He argued that he picked up part of the fence to defend himself.

Bell was handed an 18 months prison sentence, suspended for two years, and told to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.