A NOISE complaint sparked Boxing Day violence between neighbouring families.

Rhys Robert Shaw emerged from his home in West Lane, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, carrying a machete and an ornamental sword, after he said he was threatened by neighbours when he complained about loud music late at night.

Durham Crown Court heard that while swinging the weapons, he caused cuts to the ear lobe and neck of a neighbour, who also received injuries to his elbow and thumb while fending off blows.

John Gillette, prosecuting, said that despite the initial apparent severity of the injuries, they began to heal within a few weeks.

He said Shaw and his partner had been out drinking that evening and said they were intimidated after they complained for the second time in 20 minutes about music from a nearby house.

When interviewed by police, Shaw admitted causing the cuts to his victim's neck and ear, but denied responsibility for the other injuries. Mr Gillette said Shaw now accepted he must have caused the other injuries with the sword.

Jamie Hill, in mitigation, said the incident was out of character.

He said: "It arises out of an unfortunate series of events which developed after he and his family moved into the house after being left homeless by a private landlord."

Shaw, 26, admitted unlawful wounding and was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £100 costs.