A CROWBAR-wielding father smashed up a neighbour's home and attacked people who tried to intervene in a "minute or so of madness", a court heard.

Simon Maxwell used a metal bar to break an external door and a ground floor window of the Lewis family's Blackrod house as a long-running dispute came to a head

The Lewis' had had friends over for the evening and it is believed Maxwell was enraged about the noise coming from the property in the early hours of the morning.

He lashed out at other residents of The Cheethams cul-de-sac who came to stop him attacking the house and ended up seriously injuring one of them, Gary Cropper, who was left with permanent scarring.

Maxwell, aged 50, was given a suspended prison sentence at Bolton Crown Court after admitting causing grievous bodily harm, criminal damage and affray.

Judge Graeme Smith told him: "I know neighbour disputes are one of the most difficult things that the courts in this country are called to deal with.

"Very different accounts have been given by you and your wife, and by the Lewis family and other witnesses, of the background that led up to events on February 7 this year.

"There was no excuse whatsoever for what you did on that day.

"In the cold light of day, clearly there were a number of other options that would have been available."

The court heard Maxwell, who works for Lancashire County Council and has two teenage daughters, caused damage estimated at £300 and the violence "escalated in a very short period of time" as he turned on other neighbours who intervened.

Judge Smith said: "This incident was completely out of character.

"It could be described as a minute or so of madness.

"Fortunately the injuries are not as serious as they could have been, given they were caused by a crowbar, but they have nevertheless had an ongoing impact."

Maxwell, now of Alicks Fold, Westhoughton, was sentenced to two years in jail, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work plus 10 days of rehabilitation activity.

He must pay compensation of £2,000 to Nicola Lewis and £750 to Mr Cropper.