A row over straying cows between two farmers led to violence, a court heard.

Brian Lambert, 58, attacked his next door neighbour Thomas Toppin after angrily approaching him as his victim was driving past in a tractor, said prosecutor Peter Kelly at Carlisle's Rickergate Magistrates Court.

He said that Lambert tried to grab his neighbour's shirt.

In court, Lambert, of Townhead Court, Melmerby, Penrith, admitted a common assault.

Mr Kelly said the victim was driving his tractor towards Melmerby on August 9 when he noticed his neighbour's approaching the tractor, angrily waving his arms.

"I spoke to Mr Lambert but he appeared to be in a rage," Mr Toppin told police.

He said the defendant had demanded that he get his cows out of his field.

Mr Toppin replied that he had got the cows out of the field but that the fence needed to be repaired.

The victim described Lambert rushing towards him, saying he would kill him.

Lambert then swung his arms two or three times, making contact with him, though he was uninjured.

John Smith, for Lambert, said the defendant denied threatening to kill Mr Toppin.

But the restraining order which the prosecution had requested would cause unnecessary problems, said Mr Smith.

Magistrates imposed a six-month conditional discharge, noting that the offence happened on the spur of the moment and had essentially consisted of Lambert grabbing his neighbour's shirt.

"It just got out of hand," said the presiding magistrate.

The defendant must pay £85 prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

The magistrates declined to make a restraining order.