A man repeatedly punched his neighbour in the latest outbreak of hostilities in a bitter long-running dispute, a court heard.

Luke Carmen, 20, pleaded guilty to assaulting Henry Waters following an incident involving a row over his cat at flats on William Mear Gardens in Norwich. 

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told it was part of a “sustained campaign of harassment” and that Mr Waters had been punched four times to the head in the “unprovoked” attack on March 24.

Eastern Daily Press: There has been a long-running dispute between neighbours at William Mear Gardens in NorwichThere has been a long-running dispute between neighbours at William Mear Gardens in Norwich (Image: Google)

In a statement read in court Mr Waters said he had been subject to threats and accused neighbours of trying to provoke him in a bid to get him jailed.

Magistrates fined Carmen £150, ordered he pay costs of £165 and imposed a two year restraining order banning him from contact with Mr Waters and his partner. 

READ MORE: Norwich man Henry Waters fined for harassment and assault

The court was told it was the latest in a series of incidents involving warring neighbours, including Mr Waters being convicted of assault, threats and harassment following an incident in 2022.

James Landells, mitigating, said he had also been sentenced for assaulting Carmen in October 2023. 

“There is more than a slight background to this,” he added.