A MAN who battered his ex-partner's neighbour with a shovel has been jailed.

Daniel Gedge, of Mandale Road in Bournemouth, attacked Connor Green outside his own home after an incident late on June 9.

Gedge's former girlfriend claimed she had been assaulted with a baseball bat by Mr Green, a court heard. Prosecutors said she also claimed Mr Green had threatened her children. No proof in support of the allegations was offered.

However, when Gedge learned of the claims, he went to Mr Green's home in Raleigh Road, Poole armed with a metal shovel.

He then hit the victim over the head. When Mr Green fell to the ground, Gedge hit him twice more in the legs.

On Friday, the defendant, 25, appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentence after admitting grievous bodily harm with intent.

Tom Evans, prosecuting, said Gedge's ex-girlfriend was drunk and had become "verbally aggressive" at Mr Green's flat. She had eventually been taken home by friends.

She then contacted Gedge and made allegations that she had been the victim of an assault.

The defendant immediately went to Mr Green's flat. Mr Green was on his way to the 24/7 Tesco at Tower Park when he saw Gedge running towards him with the shovel.

"Gedge was heard to shout, 'I'm going to kill you,'" Mr Evans said.

"He struck Mr Green in the head with the shovel. This knocked the victim to the ground.

"He was able to stand but Gedge swung again. He missed but Mr Green lost his balance and fell.

"While the victim was on the ground, he was struck twice more on the legs with the shovel."

The victim suffered cuts and bruises in the attack.

Victoria Hill, mitigating, said: "He says himself that he responded to information that may not have been true."

The defendant has since demonstrated a "good deal of maturity", and hung up the phone when contacted by Mr Green after his arrest, it was said.

"He said, 'I lost my temper because he hit her' and 'I hit him when I should have called the police'." Ms Hill said.

"He has been candid and frank."

Judge Peter Crabtree OBE said the case "troubled" him as witnesses had provided a number of conflicting reports.

He said he believed Gedge's ex had made allegations about Mr Green that "would have been in [Gedge's] mind" at the time of the assault.

"This is a man who took a shovel to someone's head," he said.

"He could have caused a great deal more damage than he did."

Gedge was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.