A landlord who battered his lodger with a hammer is starting a one-month prison sentence.

Barry Dixon snapped after his tenant allegedly stole from the flat and left without paying rent, Basildon Magistrates' Court heard.

He confronted Matthew Barratt before hitting him around the head with the hammer. Despite the attack, stipendiary magistrate John Cooper said Dixon was a "decent man".

Dixon's wife died three years ago while he was serving a four-year prison sentence for conspiracy to blackmail.

Dixon, 50, of Westlake Avenue, Bowers Gifford, pleaded guilty to common assault. The court was told the attack was launched after Mr Barratt moved out of the home. Ari Barker, prosecuting, said: "Mr Barratt lived in a premises owned by the defendant which was rented through an agency.

"He left the premises but there was a dispute over rent not paid. Mr Barratt went to the address to collect mail. The defendant had a hammer and hit him once on the side of the head and jabbed him in the lip."

The attack left Mr Barratt with bruising to the head.

Jason Bishop, defending, said Dixon felt threatened because Mr Barratt had a dog chain.

He went on to reveal Dixon was being treated for depression after his wife died five weeks into his prison sentence in 1996.

In sentencing, Mr Cooper said he sympathised with Dixon's plight. He said: "Having heard about this individual I do not exactly warm to him, but you cannot go around hitting people with a hammer. I believe you are a decent man and I do not think you should serve a long prison sentence."

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