A WRITER was allegedly beaten up by two brothers after he complained to police about loud music at a party, a jury was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how journalist Anthony Bell, 62, was confronted and attacked with a bottle by Andrew Belshaw, 35, who also kicked and punched him. His brother, Stephen Belshaw, 31, then joined in the violence, and was said to have knocked Mr Bell to the ground.

Mr Bell, who told the court he had also worked for the Foreign Office, ended up injured under some bushes and had to be taken to hospital after the early hours melee outside the block of flats in Burnley, where he then lived.

The prosecution allege Stephen Belshaw, who also lived in the flats, also intimidated two neighbours who were in another apartment at the time and who are giving evidence in the case.

Defence barristers claim Mr Bell, who has since moved, started the trouble and set about Andrew Belshaw and that Stephen Belshaw, who is registered partially sighted and attended the Royal School for the Blind, was simply a peacemaker and tried to stop the fracas.

Stephen Belshaw, of Brownhill Avenue, Burnley, and Andrew Belshaw, of Duckworth Street, Barrowford, both deny assault causing actual bodily harm last July. Stephen Belshaw also pleads not guilty to three counts of witness intimidation.

Questioned by Jonathan Ayers, prosecuting, Mr Bell said he had been going to his home and was confronted by a man who was being very aggressive and loud mouthed.

He told the jury the man swung his arms as if he was going to hit him in the face and he lashed out in self defence. Mr Bell said he did not strike any further blows, but Andrew Belshaw landed a number of blows with both his feet and his hands.

The alleged victim said last August he was washing up in his flat in front of the kitchen window when a car drew up.

He claimed Stephen Belshaw, who he had known for three and a half years, and who then lived in the flat below him, got out of the passenger side of the car and made gestures to him.

Cross-examined by Kathryn Johnson, for Stephen Belshaw, Mr Bell said he did not agree that all the defendant did was to try and separate he and Andrew Belshaw.

Miss Johnson suggested to Mr Bell that Stephen Belshaw did not punch or kick him, but Mr Bell disagreed.

Wayne Porter, who also lived in the block of flats, told the jury both Andrew Belshaw and Mr Bell were being aggressive.

He agreed with the prosecutor that in his police statement he had said that Stephen Belshaw came running out of the flats towards his brother and Mr Bell.

He said he told police Stephen's brother said he had been hit and Stephen Belshaw shouted that Mr Bell was a 'grass' and punched him twice in the face. Mr Bell fell over.

Mr Porter said in his statement, he had turned to his girlfriend and asked her to phone the police. He told the court he now could not remember what happened as the incident took place a year ago and was over in minutes.

(Proceeding)