A MAN who repeatedly punched his Ipswich neighbour in the face believed his mother was being blackmailed, a court heard.Terence Ward, 55, of Kemble Street, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court to assaulting Damien Rudland causing him actual bodily harm.

A MAN who repeatedly punched his Ipswich neighbour in the face believed his mother was being blackmailed, a court heard.

Terence Ward, 55, of Kemble Street, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court to assaulting Damien Rudland causing him actual bodily harm.

Ward told police officers he believed Mr Rudland had blackmailed his mother out of £50,000.

Peter Gare, prosecuting said Ward's mother denied ever being blackmailed by Mr Rudland.

Initially it was believed that Mr Rudland had suffered a broken jaw but an Ipswich Hospital consultant confirmed that the injuries were no more severe than bruising.

Psychiatric reports were before the court and Judge John Devaux made a hospital order detaining Ward at St Clements Hospital as recommended by the reports.