A DISPUTE over a drugs debt turned violent as the man who owed the money attacked his neighbour with a brick.

Months earlier, 25-year-old Steven Smallwood had arrived at the same man’s front door armed with a hammer, though his intended victim was able to dodge the blow with the makeshift weapon, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

The defendant, of Lakeland Avenue, Whitehaven, admitted four offences: affray, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, causing criminal damage, and an actual bodily harm assault.

The offending began on December 29 last year when Smallwood went to the victim’s home, at that time a few doors from his own residence in Nursery Place, Whitehaven.

“They had been arguing over the telephone about money,” said the prosecuting barrister.

“The victim [later] saw the defendant approaching his property and he was wielding a hammer, therefore he armed himself with a hammer before opening the door.”

As he did so, said the barrister, Smallwood swung the hammer towards the man. He was able to “dodge” the blow and slam the front door shut.

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Moments later, Smallwood used the hammer to smash the doorbell camera that was positioned beside the front door. The entire incident lasted four seconds.

The next violence happened on April 23, when the victim was leaving his property to join a friend so they could take his dog for a walk. It was as the victim briefly returned to his house to collect the dog's lead that he was attacked.

“The defendant attacked him with a brick,” said the prosecutor.

Smallwood smashed the brick into the man’s face and the victim later said he believed he was then subjected to multiple punches. He was left with facial injuries, including an eye that was so swollen he could not see for two days.

There was also an injury to his jaw.

Tariq Khawam, defending, said the defendant and his victim lived a few doors away from each other and there was a dispute over money.

The defendant felt “harassed,” said the barrister. “It was a moment of madness,” continued Mr Khawam.

The barrister said Smallwood had reacted because the victim had “spoken to” the defendant’s partner about the debt. He had picked up the brick he used from the ground outside his property as he went to see the man, said the lawyer. 

“It was essentially a build-up of issues over a period of time, and he now wants to a return to normality,” added Mr Khawam.

Judge Nicholas Barker noted the background, a dispute over a cannabis debt, and this did not put Smallwood in a good light.

Nor did Smallwood’s claim it was his victim who first armed himself with a hammer, prompting him to return to his own home to get his own hammer, said the judge. But the defendant had not been before a court since he was 16.

Judge Barker imposed a 20-month jail term but, given that Smallwood had served the equivalent of a nine month jail term, had good references, that he had work lined up, the judge said he would suspend that sentence for two years.

The defendant must complete a 26-session “Building choices” programme, complete five rehabilitation activity days, and pay his victim compensation of £2,400. A restraining order bans any contact with the victim for five years.