A dispute between two neighbours ended last year with one inflicting injuries on the other.

The case was disposed of in the Resident Magistrate's court this year, but the injured neighbour is not satisfied with the outcome, because he wanted to see his neighbour spend years in prison.

The neighbour who was injured said he cannot understand why his neighbour does not like him, because as far as he is aware, he has never said anything about him nor done him any harm.

"Some of the residents in the community say that the man is just envious of me because I am very progressive, he said.

"But, if that is the real reason, I don't stop my neighbour, or anyone for that matter, from working hard and achieving whatever they want in life.

worked very hard

"I am a minibus driver and I get up at the crack of dawn and start working so that my wife and children can be comfortable and have a house of our own. I bought a two-bedroom house six years ago. I worked very hard and made it into a four-bedroom house. 'My neighbour has not done any addition to his house, but that is not my concern so he should not have anything against me for trying to improve my living condition'.

"The fuss we had was totally unnecessary. I came home one evening and my neighbour's car was parked at my gate. I tooted the horn of my minibus and he looked out and paid me no mind. I tooted it several times and he came out and asked what was my problem. I told him I wanted to park my bus in my driveway. He started cursing me and I responded and told him I was not afraid of him. He took a piece of stick and hit me across my back. I reported the incident to the police and he was arrested and charged. He pleaded guilty and was fined. I disagree with the fine because that man should have been jailed for several years for assaulting me.

"Someone suggested I should sue him because I am still having severe pains in my back, and have to be going to the doctor. I am not sure I can sue him since he already pleaded guilty and was fined," he said.

The fact that your neighbour pleaded guilty to the offence, and was fined, does not prevent you from suing him to get compensation for the injury you sustained. You should consult a lawyer on the issue so that a civil suit can be filed against your neighbour.