A QUIET middle-aged man "lost it" and smashed up his neighbour's home with an axe after he played loud music around the clock, a court was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how mild-mannered and respected Robert Walker, 56, had been driven to temporary insanity by the constant beat from the nightclub-like home of Daniel Padgett.

After a bad day at work and having been kept awake night after night, the enraged and drunken defendant armed himself with an axe and machete.

He then smashed down Mr Padgett's door, told him he was going to kill him and set about smashing up the music centre and other property.

Walker, who had no criminal convictions and had lived in his home for 18 years, later told police he had terrified himself, let alone the victim, by his actions and was shocked at what he had done.

The defendant escaped jail even though Judge Raymond Bennett said normally he would have faced years behind bars.

The judge said after what he had heard, he could not believe any right-minded person would say Walker ought to go to prison.

Walker, of Rylands Street, Burnley, admitted aggravated burglary and was given a nine month community rehabilitation order.

Kendal Lindley, prosecuting, said after smashing his way into Mr Padgett's house, the defendant wrecked the music system, TV and wall, causing £400 damage.

Roger Baldwin, defending, said Walker had an unblemished record while Mr Padgett, 23, had a bad criminal history. But he said he was still entitled to the protection of the law as was the property in which he was living.

He said that on the day of the offence, Walker had had a bad day at work. He was very upset and had also just given up smoking.

He had drunk a vast amount of alcohol, went home and the music was coming from next door. Walker absolutely terrified himself by what he had done.

Expectant mum Christine Scott Grant, who lives on the other side of Mr Padgett, told the court his music was really difficult to live with and sometimes went on until three or four in the morning.

Ms Scott Grant said it was like living in a nightclub and she had been racially abused when she had tried to speak to Mr Padgett about it.