A LITTERBUG was slashed with a knife and punched in the face after he dropped a coffee cup onto the street from his van.

Andrew Bond was inside his home on Oat Street, Padiham, when he saw Melvin Lampard litter on the path outside his property. The 47-year-old became so enraged by what he had seen that he went out to confront Mr Lampard and punched him in the face.

He then went back inside before returning with a kitchen knife and stabbing him. Prosecuting, Jon Close told Burnley Crown Court that Mr Lampard had been in his van with a colleague near the defendant’s home on January 27, 2020.

He said: “The victim was drinking a cup of coffee and he dropped that cup from his window. The defendant observed this and became immediately abusive.

“He exited his property and approached the victim. Despite Mr Lampard offering to pick the cup up, he punched him in the face.

“The defendant then returned to his garden, with Mr Lampard leaving his van and following him. He again threw punches which stuck the victim in the head. The defendant and the victim grappled.”

Burnley Crown Court heard how the defendant then retreated back inside where he could be heard shouting about the victim, who he claimed had tried to enter his home.

Mr Lampard and his colleague had retreated back to the van when Bond reappeared with a 12-inch kitchen knife.

Mr Close said: “The victim did not believe he would use the knife and said to him ‘all this for dropping a cup on the floor?’ “The defendant then swiped and slashed with the knife causing a five-centimetre laceration between his chin and jaw line. He also stabbed him to his forearm.

“The police were called, and the victim received hospital attention.”

The court heard how the victim had sustained a gash on his chin, a wound on his left forearm and a bruised lip. He later attended the dentist where it was discovered that a tooth would have to be removed after becoming dislodged during the fracas.

Bond denied all offences to police claiming the defendant had entered his property and he had only sought to defend himself.

A victim impact statement described how Mr Lampard has struggled with anxiety since the attack.

Defending, Bob Elias said: “Mr Lampard chose to throw his rubbish out the window of his van. That was churlish and arrogant behaviour from a man in a van.

“Mr Bond decided to confront him. That sort of arrogant littering could have been rebutted without there being any crime committed but he chose to use violence.

“Mr Lampard at this stage made a serious error in judgement – he moved the defendant into his own garden and there was a grappling-type confrontation.

“Mr Bond, frightened of serious violence, retreated back into his home, armed himself with a knife and went back outside to confront the person who had chased him back into his own property.”

Mr Elias went on to explain that should Bond receive a custodial sentence, his son would be at risk of being placed into care.

The court heard that while Bond hadn’t been in trouble with the courts since 2003, he had several previous convictions for violence dating back to 1998.

Jailing him for 16 months, suspended for 18 months, Judge Sara Dodd said: “Whatever it was that the complainant had done to upset you, your response was out of all proportion.

“I well understand why you were angry, but he didn’t deserve punching and he certainly didn’t deserve to have to his face as a result of you brandishing a knife you took from your kitchen.

“Your best mitigation is the fact you are the sole carer of your son.

“I am mindful that should you go to custody the reality is that either he would go into care or he will have to turn to his mother's in the Philippines.

“I also bear in mind the period of time you spent in remand for this case before you were released and the fact you were released to a bail hostel.”

Bond must also do 40 rehabilitation days.