MUSIC critic David Simpson’s next-door neighbour in a village near York took such exception to his choice of late-night sounds that he punched him in the face.

Harrogate Magistrates Court heard how ‘‘a continuous thumping sound’’ at 10.20pm on January 25 had disturbed 51-year-old Brian Edmunds’ TV viewing and led to him marching to Mr Simpson’s house in Crawford Close, Tockwith, and attacking him when he came to his door.

Prosecutor Kathryn Reeve said Mr Simpson had been twice punched in his left eye, grabbed by his neck and pushed back into his hallway. He had needed hospital treatment for a one-inch cut and swelling and bruising to his eye, along with blurred vision. He had also suffered a broken tooth and a sore neck.

He told police he had been left distressed by the assault, which he described as ‘‘everyone’s worst nightmare, being attacked in their own home”, and needed a week off work to recover.

But he said he would not be intimidated by the attack into leaving his home or a community where everyone was normally friendly.

He appreciated the music volume might have been ‘‘higher than desired’,’ but a bang on his wall or a knock at the door would have brought action.

The court heard Edmunds had moved into the house only four weeks prior to the attack, having left Ripon after his mother died.

In mitigation, John Mewies said Edmunds had been watching TV when there had been ‘‘a tremendously loud sound of music from next door, a continuous thumping sound’.’ Edmunds had gone to investigate, the two men had a dialogue and when it appeared to Edmunds that Mr Simpson was not prepared to turn the music down he acted totally out of character.

The court heard he had been shocked by what he had done and unable to explain why he did it and wanted to ‘‘apologise most sincerely.”

Edmunds was ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 compensation to Mr Simpson and £85 costs.