A man accused of stabbing to death a neighbour and attacking another following a dispute over a bonfire was sick of neighbours complaining about him starting fires in his front garden, the court heard today.

A man accused of stabbing to death a neighbour and attacking another following a dispute over a bonfire was sick of neighbours complaining about him starting fires in his front garden, the court heard today.

David Stubbs (52) is alleged to have murdered Jim Cushing and stabbing Ian Burgess in the arm on the Bowthorpe Estate on June 13 last year.

The jury heard the incident was started after Mr Burgess' wife Julie had gone round to complain about smoke and fumes coming from Stubbs' incinerator.

There were claims that Stubbs said to Mrs Burgess: “I am sick of you neighbours having a go at me.” After the confrontation Mr Burgess went round to complain about the way Stubbs' had abused his wife and in the process angrily kicked over his incinerator. Mr Burgess and Mr Cushing then returned to Stubbs' house because there were concerns that the knocked-over incinerator might start a fire.

The court heard that Stubbs then rushed out of the house and attacked Mr Cushing as he was bending over with a watering can to put out some embers.

Stubbs of Harris Mews denies murdering Mr Cushing and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Burgess. The trial continues.