A PEACEMAKER attempting to resolve an argument between a parish councillor and a dog warden ended up being assaulted for his efforts, a court heard.

Geoffrey Dracup, 64, of Hollins Lane, Arnside, appeared in South Lakeland Magistrates Court on Monday charged with assaulting chairman of Milnthorpe Parish Council, Neil Dodd, on September 19.

Councillor Dodd met with Dracup after vice-chairman, Alan Baverstock, asked the chairman to resolve a dispute Mr Baverstock had with the warden that day.

The court heard that Dracup had been harassed by a resident throughout his two-and-half-year employment and felt he had little support from the council.

He had met with Coun Baverstock to discuss this but the meeting had ended in a verbal altercation.

Prosecuting Lisa O’Loughlin said: “Mr Dodd asked him how he thought the job was going. He said it was fine and then began to get aggressive, Dodd tried to calm him.”

The court heard, Dracup then removed his warden badge and threw it at Coun Dodd, hitting his glasses and causing them to break.

Dracup, who had been due to retire in the new year, was given a 12-month discharge sentence and ordered to pay £140 compensation and £85 court costs.