Nearly four years after a violent altercation in New Winthropes, a man has been ordered by the High Court to compensate his neighbour for injuries sustained during the incident.

Donneil Anthony, who was 37 at the time, admitted to causing grievous bodily harm when he appeared in court on Wednesday. The case stems from an attack on June 12, 2022, in which his neighbour, Hampson, suffered a serious arm injury.

According to the facts presented, Hampson had been walking through the area that morning when he noticed Anthony behaving aggressively and shouting. Anthony briefly ran into a nearby yard, and Hampson continued walking, thinking nothing more of the encounter. Moments later, he was struck forcefully on his left arm. Realizing he was under attack, Hampson fled, glancing back to see Anthony chasing him with a large piece of wood.

The situation was interrupted when a bystander intervened, forcing Anthony to retreat. Injured and shaken, Hampson rested nearby until emergency services arrived and transported him to hospital.

Medical examinations revealed a displaced fracture in his arm. The injury was severe enough to require surgery just over a week later, during which doctors inserted metal plates and screws to stabilize the bone.

At the time of the incident, Hampson was 44. Despite both men living in the same community and being familiar with each other, no clear motive for the attack was established in court.

In handing down the sentence, the judge ordered Anthony to pay a total of $20,000 in compensation. An initial payment of $5,000 is due immediately, with the remaining balance to be paid in monthly installments of $1,000 starting at the end of next month. Failure to comply with the payment schedule could result in a six-month prison sentence.