Man trapped neighbour against wall with digger, court told

A BITTER neighbours’ dispute saw one man attack another with a JCBtype digger, a court has heard.

The alleged victim was trapped against a wall by the earth-mover, and said he “feared for his life”.

Swansea Crown Court heard the dispute between Amman Valley neighbours Bobby Vijay and Tony Mallon had rumbled on for more than a decade. The men owned neighbouring plots of land in Glanamman, Carmarthenshire, and the conflict revolved around the issue of a right of way, the court heard.

Mallon, aged 55, of Tabernacle Road, denies assault occasioning actual bodily harm and a racially aggravated public order matter.

Mr Vijay told the court that on July 9 last year he was on Mallon’s driveway – the right of way he enjoys – when he heard a digger “revving”.

The witness said he saw the digger – being driven by his neighbour – coming down the drive towards him.

Mr Vijay described how he “jumped out of the way” of the machine, which missed him “by a couple of inches” – the digger then stopped and reversed towards him, pinning him against the wall. He said: “I was very panicked.” The court heard the cab door of the digger opened and the two men scuffled briefly. Mr Vijay said he was kicked around 10 times by the defendant.

On May 5 this year Mallon is alleged to have referred to Mr Vijay as “a black boy” in a confrontation.

Rhys Thomas, for the prosecution, asked Mr Vijay how that comment had made him feel. He told the court it wasn’t the first time the defendant had used such language.

Stephen Rees, for the defence, put it to Mr Vijay that he was being “vindictive”, which Mr Vijay denied.

The trial continues.