A SUFFOLK man has been ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to his neighbour after punching him in the face.Julius Douglas, 40, from Haverhill, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court to unlawfully wounding his Howard Close neighbour, Michael Russian, 56.

A SUFFOLK man has been ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to his neighbour after punching him in the face.

Julius Douglas, 40, from Haverhill, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court to unlawfully wounding his Howard Close neighbour, Michael Russian, 56.

The court heard that a young man known to Mr Russian had been driving "too fast" in the close and Douglas had become angry and gone to Mr Russian's house to question him about the matter.

Jude Durr, prosecuting, said Douglas became aggressive and said if the young man came into the close he would "sort him out".

The court heard that Mr Russian, his wife and their son Kevin had tried to push the front door closed, but Douglas' foot jammed it open.

Mr Durr said Douglas punched Mr Russian in the face and he fell to the floor. Mr Russian suffered a two inch cut requiring eight stitches on his forehead as a result of the fall. Douglas was then restrained by Mrs Russian and Kevin until the police arrived.

Mr Recorder Neil Garnham QC said: "This appalling incident occurred on March 5 in a residential street in Haverhill and was the result of a dispute between neighbours. You landed a single blow but it was a forceful punch to the head which made Mr Russian fall to the ground. He suffered a serious gash. This will be marked by you putting your hand deeply into your pocket."

He ordered Douglas, who the court heard had a high-powered job relating to banking, to pay Mr Russian £2,000 in compensation. Douglas, who has two young boys, was also told to pay more than £1,600 in court costs.

He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours unpaid work for the community.