Community man 'left bleeding'

Glen Jowitt, 26, and Bryan Flanagan, 60, both live in Burton Green, Clifton, which was called Kingsway North before the older man and friends got the name changed in an effort to improve the street's fortunes.

James Hargan, opening the prosecution, said that as Mr Flanagan, a neighbourhood watch co-ordinator, was returning home by bus from the city centre he heard a voice calling: "I live in Kingsway North, not Burton Green".

The voice continued "Bryan Flanagan is a grasser" and threatened to "get" the older man, claiming he owed him money.

Jowitt was sitting two rows behind Mr Flanagan and his daughter Marianne.

When all three got off the bus at the same bus stop, Jowitt aimed a punch at Mr Flanagan's head, alleged Mr Hargan. He then pushed his thumb into the older man's eye and put his left arm round Mr Flanagan's neck as though to hold the head still.

Mr Flanagan was in "significant pain", claimed Mr Hargan, but managed to get free and push Jowitt against a garden wall.

Mr Flanagan was later found to have suffered bruising and bleeding beneath the skin around his eye. Jowitt denies causing actual bodily harm to Mr Flanagan and assaulting his daughter Marianne an hour or two later.

Mr Hargan said Jowitt claims he acted in self defence and that the Flanagans and their dog attacked him. The barrister said that Mr Flanagan received treatment at York District Hospital for injuries to his eye.

While he was there, his daughter was walking their dog on fields near Burton Stone Lane when they encountered Jowitt.

The pair glared at each other and Jowitt made comments about Mr Flanagan to his daughter.

Mr Hargan alleged that Jowitt aimed a punch, which the woman was able to evade, and insulted her. She was uninjured but her dog attacked Jowitt, biting him.

Jowitt later told police that Marianne Flanagan "set her dog on him".

The trial continues.