A MAN went to resolve a dispute with a neighbour he knew as Phillip, fuelled by an early morning drinking session.

Blackburn magistrates heard the neighbour, whose name was given by the prosecution as Christine Holden, was sitting in her flat when she heard the windows in the front door smash.

And David Hacking told the court: "It's hard living next-door to a trans-sexual."

Hacking, 48, of Holden Fold, Darwen, pleaded guilty to criminal damage. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £100 compensation and £65 costs.

David Hartley, prosecuting, said Christine Hartley had been sitting in her flat at about 10am on Wednesday when she heard shouting and banging from the front door.

She recognised the voice as being Hacking. She heard the sound of glass smashing and called the police.

Stephen Parker, defending, said there was a neighbour dispute involving not just Hacking but other residents in the area. He said he had been shown a log kept by one of the neighbours which detailed numerous incidents involving the person referred to as Christine Holden.

"That person has always been referred to as Phil or Phillip and it would appear he is a man who is dressing as a woman and going round exhibiting strange behaviour," said Mr Parker. "The straw that broke the camel's back was when my client received a letter from the council saying the other person has complained about him.."