A DAD who snapped and attacked his neighbour with a rounders bat has been spared jail.

Bolton Crown Court heard that Fakhir Salim had previously reported Anthony Clark's behaviour to the police and even sent Bolton Council a video showing Mr Clark kicking the door of his Thornbank East, Deane, flat.

Colin Buckle, defending Salim, said the council tried to intervene but Mr Clark refused to engage with them.

On December 29 last year Salim, a former police officer in his home country of Iraq, returned to his flat at 1am after finishing work.

But William Donnelly, prosecuting, said on this occasion, unprovoked, Salim went to Mr Clark's door carrying a rounders bat in a carrier bag.

Salim, a married father-of-two, banged on the door until Mr Clark opened it and then attacked him with the bat.

Mr Clark was hit several times, knocked to the ground and left with four head wounds.

The assault ended when Mr Clark's partner dragged him back inside his flat.

He needed hospital treatment, including seven stitches, to head injuries.

In a victim statement read out in court Mr Clark said he now suffers from anxiety and has a fear of leaving his home.

Salim, aged 35, now of Daisy Street, Daubhill, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

Mr Buckle said Salim, a British citizen, made his home in England after fleeing Saddam Hussein's regime but he, and other neighbours, were being troubled by Mr Clark’s behaviour, which was described in court as “erratic, aggressive and unstable.”

"The defendant reported the complainant to the authorities because he was struggling at work because he was having to come home because his wife and children were frightened by what was happening at the address,” said Mr Buckle.

He added that Salim has no criminal record for violence and is remorseful.

“He is highly unlikely to return to the court or commit this offence ever again,” said Mr Buckle.

Recorder Rachel Smith sentenced Salim to 12 months in prison but suspended it for 18 months.

She also told him he must complete 100 hours unpaid work, but made no order for him to pay prosecution costs or compensation to Mr Clark.

She told Salim that she regarded the assault “as entirely out of character for you.”