A SIMMERING dispute between neighbours, which started over children playing football, ended in violence when a pensioner's family came to visit.

The 83-year-old woman's son-in-law viciously attacked the father of the youngsters after knocking on his door to complain about their behaviour.

Gary Noble, 44, and his wife, Paula, 43, from Humberside, were both charged with assault causing actual bodily harm against Darren Callaghan, 42.

But the charge against Mrs Noble was dropped at Teesside Crown Court yesterday when her husband, a self-employed motorcycle mechanic, pleaded guilty.

The judge deferred sentencing for six months to allow Noble - unemployed and claiming benefits until recently - time to save money to pay compensation.

The court heard that Mr Callaghan suffered a head injury, cut earlobe, swollen jaw, a bruised nose and grazes to his face and body in the attack, on March 9 this year.

Noble told police he feared he was going to be attacked after knocking on Mr Callaghan's door in Balmoral Road, Ormesby, Middlesbrough, and saw him with a knife.

Martina Connolly, prosecuting, said Mr Callaghan had been using the knife to cut up boxes when his neighbour's son-in-law called to try to resolve matters.

Noble, of Brigham Grove, Hull, struck Mr Callaghan in the face as he answered the door, then pushed him to the ground and hit him a further two or three times.

Miss Connolly said witnesses described how Mr Callaghan was dragged back to his feet, grabbed by the throat and had his head smashed against the house wall.

Mrs Noble later told police that during the incident she kicked Mr Callaghan after her husband shouted "he's got a knife" but prosecutors offered no evidence against her.

The court heard how Mr Callaghan and his family have since moved from their home, which has ended the long-running dispute with Jean Johnson and her relatives.

Recorder Neil Davey deferred sentence for six months and told Noble he would not be locked up if he stayed out of trouble and made "reasonable efforts" to get a job and save a "proper" amount for compensation.

The court heard the row started when balls belonging to Mr Callaghan's children were repeatedly kicked into Mrs Johnson's garden.