Defence veteran Alan Thomson allegedly assaulted in his Townsville backyard

A Townsville Defence Force veteran of four-decades has allegedly been assaulted in his own backyard after police claim a neighbourly dispute soured into a violent attack.

A TOWNSVILLE Defence Force veteran of four-decades has allegedly been assaulted in his own backyard after police claim a neighbourly dispute soured into a violent attack.

Alan Thomson was “sitting back watching the tennis” in January when he decided to head into his yard during a break in the rain.

He said it was a good chance to trim a hedge growing over his back fence, which came over the fence from his neighbour’s property.

“It’s been there since about 2008,” Mr Thomson said.

“The rain gauge in that part of the fence was chockas and the reading was covered over by the hedge. So I thought I’d go and trim the s--t up that’s hanging over the fence.

“It’s not looked after and it’s out of control.”

Mr Thomson said he normally puts the clippings in his own waste, but decided to toss them over the fence to the owner of the hedge this time.

“I wanted to send him a message to try to keep it nice and tidy,” Mr Thomson said.

Alan Thomson was allegedly punched by his neighbour in a dispute over an overgrown hedge and had to be taken to hospital. Picture: Evan Morgan

“I only clipped one or two pieces with the secateurs and tossed them over not knowing the bloke was there, and next minute this voice started swearing at me.

“He said ‘what the f--k do you think you’re doing?’.

“I said ‘mate, this is your s--t on your side of the fence going out of control. I’m trimming up my side of the fence and putting it back on yours because it’s your responsibility.”

The Kirwan resident said it was the first time he’d spoken to his back neighbour, who’d only moved in about 16 months ago.

Alan Thomson after the alleged attacked.

The 64-year-old said things quickly turned south as he alleged his neighbour, who he said was probably in his mid 30s, became more aggressive.

“He said ‘you’ve got three dogs, I’m going to report you to council’,” Mr Thomson said.

“I said ‘go for your life mate. At the same time you might be able to find out whose responsibility the hedge is’.”

Mr Thomson was then allegedly struck in the forehead by a can and blood began pouring out of his wound.

The 38-year Royal Australian Air Force veteran reeled away from his yard and asked his wife Lucy to call emergency services.

“When she turned around and saw all the blood she was saying ‘what’s happened? What went on?’.

Alan Thomson was allegedly punched by his neighbour in a dispute over an overgrown hedge and had to be taken to hospital. Picture: Evan Morgan

“The ambulance and four police cars came.”

Paramedics treated Mr Thomson at the scene before he was transported to Townsville University Hospital for further care.

“When I was a kid growing up here in Townsville, I went to Ignatius Park College, we were taught from a young age to respect your elders,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the Queensland Police Service confirmed a 39-year-old Kirwan man had been charged on April 29 with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

He is due to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on May 19.

Originally published as Defence veteran Alan Thomson allegedly assaulted in his Townsville backyard