Pensioner guilty over axe attack on neighbour

A 74-year-old hospice volunteer has been convicted of attacking his next door neighbour with an axe in Wolverhampton following an alleged row over bins.

William Knowles was warned by a judge he could be jailed for striking Darren Whitehouse with the weapon in the victim's living room. Knowles had waved his fist in celebration at

Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday when he was cleared of also attacking Mr Whitehouse's 76-year-old father Arthur with the wooden-handled weapon.

But seconds later he was convicted of the attack on Darren Whitehouse and showed no emotion.

The court heard how trouble flared when Mr Whitehouse Jnr heard Knowles, who had is said to have had a bad relationship with his neighbours spanning three decades, banging bins together outside.

After an exchange between the men, Knowles armed himself with a mop and struck Mr Whitehouse Jnr on the neck.

Mr Whitehouse Jnr then punched Knowles in the face in self defence. Knowles, who told the trial he did voluntary work cleaning away rubbish at Wolverhampton's Compton Hospice, was alleged to have then walked into the men's house with the weapon.

When Mr Whitehouse Jnr phoned police, Knowles brought the axe down on him - striking his arm as he raised it in self defence.

Mr Whitehouse punched Knowles again and police were called to the scene at Lyndale Drive, Wednesfield.

Knowles was yesterday convicted of aggravated burglary by a majority of 10-2 after jurors deliberated for more than seven hours .

He had earlier admitted assaulting Darren Whitehouse with the mop on December 3 last year.

Adjourning the case, Recorder Mr Nigel Baker QC told Knowles, now of Anita Avenue, Tipton, he was being "humane" by granting him bail but warned him: "It may be there's no alternative but to sentence you to a prison sentence."

Knowles was told that he must stay away from the Whitehouses.