A former soldier launched an attack on his next door neighbour in a row over dog mess.

A court heard Thomas Egan used violence to gain entry to Kevin Knott’s home and also assaulted him during the incident in March.

Egan, 34, admitted assault by beating and using violence to secure entry to premises at Hillside in Sidbury near Sidmouth.

Prosecutor Philip Sewell said the dispute between the neighbours was over dog mess.

Egan said when he and his brother went to Mr Knott’s flat, the victim was ‘laughing and goading’ him through his window and Egan got worked up and ‘went mental’.

He damaged a door and attacked Mr Knott leaving him with a small cut on his head and some reddening on his face.

Exeter magistrates heard Egan had a small pension after being discharged from the Army because of injuries he suffered.

The JPs gave him a one-year community order with supervision and ordered him to pay £60 in compensation to his neighbour.