'He'll pay for it': Neighbours' street row over a car erupts into violence

A man pepper-sprayed a neighbour in the face when an argument over the sale of a car 'turned sour', a court heard. Jason Smith attacked the victim in the street in Tameside on July 26 last year when negotiations over the sale became violent.

Minshull Street Crown Court heard Smith, 46, who was described as having a 'long' criminal record, which includes a previous conviction for possessing CS gas, sprayed the victim in the eye as the pair confronted each other outside their homes on Cheetham Fold Road in Hyde.

The victim, who was named in court only as Mr Walton, wasn't injured. Smith was later arrested and found with the pepper spray in his possession.

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Lisa Boocock, prosecuting, said: "In mid-July last year there had been discussions between Jason Smith and Mr Walton about buying a car. Those discussions turned sour and that developed on July 26 with an exchange of insults.

"The defendant was unhappy about a part that had been purchased for the car. Further threats were made with the defendant heard to say 'He will pay for it'.

"Mr Walton decided it would be a good idea to come down and meet the defendant. He had an idea that things were going to turn nasty. They were pointing at each other.

"The defendant then raised his hand and sprayed him in the face with pepper spray. The two of them continued to point and shout. Mr Walton then felt some discomfort in his eyes."

The court was also shown brief CCTV footage of the incident. In a victim impact statement, which was summarised for the court, Mr Walton described how the incident had left him 'withdrawn', and 'very worried emotionally'. He now felt scared in his own home and had since