A MAN allegedly clobbered his neighbour over the head with a spade after he turned up on his doorstep and complained about loud music, a jury was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard Colin Gilbert, 35, then grappled with victim Dominic Gilmartin as their wives tried to stop the melee.

He hit Mr Gilmartin again, causing a serious gash on the top of his skull and leaving his victim pouring with blood.

Gilbert, of Broadway Place, Barrowford, denies wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, last August.

Andrew Lawson, prosecuting, told the jury Mr Gilmartin had been having problems with the defendant playing loud music and he and his wife were fed up with it.

Mr Gilmartin asked his wife to go and ask Gilbert to turn the music down but she returned and said the defendant had been rude to her.

Mr Gilmartin then went round at about 7pm and banged on Gilbert's door.

A row erupted and Gilbert was said to have taken a swing at his neighbour but missed.

Gilbert told the alleged victim to wait at the door as he had something to show him and then returned armed with the garden spade.

Threats got louder, the argument more heated and Gilbert attacked Mr Gilmartin with the spade. Mr Gilmartin put up his left arm to fend off the blow and the two men began to grapple.

Mr Lawson said both wives were present as the defendant took a second swing at Mr Gilmartin, using the spade in a chopping motion over his neighbour's head.

Mr Gilmartin suffered a serious laceration to his skull.

The two men fell to the ground as the their wives tried to split them up.

Mrs Gilmartin removed the spade from between them and the two men let go of each other.

Mr Gilmartin was left bleeding heavily from the top of his head and an ambulance and the police were called.

The prosecutor said Mr Gilmartin was taken to hospital and police spoke to the defendant.

Gilbert was interviewed at the police station and claimed that when the complainant came to his front door he was aggressive.

(Proceeding)