BAD feeling between two Suffolk families resulted in a street brawl during which a man was kicked while he was lying on the ground, a court has heard.

During the incident Aaron Palombo struck Wayne Feveyear on the nose, causing him to fall over and had then kicked him while he was on the ground, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

It was initially feared that Mr Feveyear had suffered a fractured nose but this turned out not to be the case, said Robert Sadd, prosecuting.

As a result of the attack he had to take two days off work and in the days following the incident he had swelling to his nose which made it difficult for him to breathe.

Mr Sadd said the incident was the result of ill-feeling between the two households.

Palombo, 32, of Out Risbygate, Bury St Edmunds, admitted assaulting Mr Feveyear causing him actual bodily harm and was sentenced to 180 hours’ unpaid work in the community and a nine-month supervision order. He was also ordered to pay �800 prosecution costs. Sentencing him, Judge John Devaux said there was a background of animosity to the incident. He said a witness had described Palombo striking Mr Feveyear in the face with a clenched fist and then kicking him while he was curled in a ball on the ground.

He said the incident was made more serious because it was witnessed by young children.

Richard Potts, for Palombo, said there had been bad feeling between the two families which emanated from the women of the respective households.

He claimed Palombo had been approached by Mr Feveyear as he was unloading his car and Mr Feveyear had put his face close up to his in an aggressive manner and said “Do you want some?”.

He said Palombo had hit Mr Feveyear in self defence because he feared he was going to be attacked but accepted that he had gone beyond self defence by kicking him while he was on the ground.

He said there had been no repetition of the incident and Palombo’s partner was taking steps to move by way of a house exchange. “There will be less risk of further contact,” said Mr Potts.