A NEIGHBOURS’ dispute boiled over after a claim that a man deliberately drove a motorcycle over adjoining gardens, a court heard.

Brothers Bradley and James Sinclair, and their sister’s boyfriend, Joseph McStravick, confronted the victim after he went next door to complain about the reckless riding damaging the grass.

Durham Crown Court was told he retreated to his own home, in Delavale Close, Peterlee, under a barrage of punches and threw some of his own in self-defence.

Ian West, prosecuting, said he went to the ground and recalled being stuck with a wooden stick, which broke, and to the head with a more solid piece of wood held by Bradley Sinclair.

The victim eventually lost consciousness, and vomited.

Realising he was badly hurt, two of his attackers went to his aid and an ambulance was called.

Mr West said the victim was treated in hospital for a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain plus ‘defence’ fractures to his fingers.

The defendants were quickly arrested and claimed the victim was the instigator.

Mr West said due to his head injuries the complainant had to give up driving for a local housing company.

The court heard earlier that day, July 14, McStravick accused the injured man of “grassing him up” to police over a complaint about riding his motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol.

Bradley Sinclair, 22, now of Jowitt Road, Hartlepool, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, while his brother James, 26, now of Hepscott Avenue, and McStravick, 39, of West Street, both Blackhall, each admitted affray.

Joe Culley, for Bradley Sinclair, told the court: “He accepts his conduct was unlawful and he was responsible for the injuries suffered.

“He generally got on with his neighbour, but things seemed to have gone sour over access to a shared rear to the property.”

Martin Towers, for James Sinclair, and Chris Baker, for McStravick, told the court they remained at the scene to help tend to the victim.

Judge James Adkin imposed a 22-month prison sentence on Bradley Sinclair, while his co-accused were both given eight-month sentences, suspended for two years, with 100-hours’ unpaid work and a 7pm to 8am weekend home curfew for five months.

Both must also pay the victim £400 compensation and all three defendants were made subject of five-year restraining orders prohibiting them from contacting or approaching the victim.