A FEUD over a breeding centre for birds of prey ended in confrontation, a court has heard.

Magistrates in Richmond, North Yorkshire, were told that 45-year-old Mark Robb, of the Stables, Holme Lane, Great Broughton, wanted to build on the North York Moors site.

He ran into resistance from the community in 1999 when he began to build on the edge of Broughton without planning permission.

But, although Hambleton District Council later approved the work, it did not end the increasingly bitter row with some residents, who switched their attention to the footpaths leading past the land, which they said had been blocked.

Giving evidence on Wednesday, leading campaigner 81-year-old Frederick Foster said that on January 13, he was cleaning gardening tools at a ford near his home, when a car drove through, soaking him to the knees.

He turned to see who was driving and, when the car stopped further up the road, he saw Robb climb out.

Robb then walked along the road to confront Mr Foster and, during an angry exchange, pressed his forehead against the retired customs officer's brow.

He swore at Mr Foster, then pushed him into a hedge.

Mr Foster told the court he was so traumatised by the confrontation that it was some time before he could bring himself to tell his wife what had happened.

The couple later decided to call the police and Robb was arrested.

Robb told magistrates that he was the victim of a hate campaign in the village, and denied he had snapped when he confronted Mr Foster at the ford.

Robb was given a two-year conditional discharge, ordered to pay £100 compensation and £200 court costs.