THE case against a man who landed in court over a neighbourly dispute was dismissed following a trial.

Robert Neil Wheatley, of Travellers Green, Newton Aycliffe, was accused by his former neighbours of assault and verbally abusive and threatening behaviour.

However, following a trial of more than six hours at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, the 48-year-old was found not guilty.

Laura Johnson, prosecuting, said on May 14 last year Mr Wheatley allegedly swore at a female complainant unprovoked and raised his fist.

She told the court the complainant rang the police and then her partner who drove to the property and went to the defendant’s house to “resolve the issue” by talking.

Magistrates heard Mr Wheatley allegedly punched her partner and used a plank of wood to beat him.

However, Mr Wheatley said it was the complainant who first spoke to him and became abusive.

He said the complainant’s partner came to his property seeking a fight and retrieved a baseball bat from his car.

Mr Wheatley said he got a plank of wood in self defence and the pair “scuffled”.

Chairman of the bench Lorraine Overton said she could not be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt Mr Wheatley used threatening words and behaviour, adding: “We believe Mr Wheatley used force against [the second complainant] in self defence and we believe he came away from the altercation of his own volition.”

Four prosecution witnesses gave evidence while Mr Wheatley and his partner took the stand.

She added: "None of the witnesses were independent in this case and all versions had minor inconsistencies."