A neighbour dispute turned ugly when a man went back into his home and returned armed with two metal poles.

Jordan Smart, 27, attacked a man and left him with lacerations in what a sheriff condemned as having an element of "premeditation".

Fiscal depute Euan Nicholson told Dumbarton Sheriff Court on November 19 that there was an ongoing dispute. There had been a "disagreement" earlier in the day with a neighbour.

This led to an argument with another neighbour at Sandbank Crescent, Bonhill, on May 29.

"During the course of the argument, [Smart] has returned to his home and armed himself with two metal poles," said the prosecutor.

"He approached the complainer and struck him to the head with the weapons causing injury. He was actively bleeding from his head and the complainer and accused began struggling on the ground before being separated by other neighbours."

They returned to their respective homes and a witness called police and an ambulance.

The victim had a two-inch laceration to his forehead and a two-inch laceration above his ear. Both were glued shut.

Smart, now of Craigielea Road, Duntocher, Clydebank, later pleaded guilty to assault to severe injury.

Sheriff Euan Cameron questioned why the Crown hadn't prosecuted Smart under a more serious indictment charge. The fiscal could not offer an explanation.

Defence solicitor Jonathan Paul said: "He has expressed his regret and contrition. It was the culmination of harassment over weeks and weeks and weeks. Foolishly he acted the way he did."

Sheriff Cameron said: "This is a serious offence. You returned to your home and armed yourself - so there is a clear element of premeditation.

"You're very fortunate the Crown has chosen to prosecutor you on summary."

As a direct alternative to custody, he imposed a community payback order with social work supervision for six months.

Smart must do 225 hours of unpaid work in the community within a year. He will also be under curfew for six months, from 7pm to 7am daily.