A BINSTEAD man spat at and assaulted his neighbour in her own garden, a court heard.

Dean Delaney, of Beatrice Close, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The 28-year-old was charged with assault by beating and common assault in Binstead, on June 29.

Prosecutor, Ann Smout, told the court the victim ­— a neighbour of Delaney's ­— had been sitting in her garden on the day. She was joined by a friend and her daughter, and Delaney had entered through a side gate.

He was described as appearing as though "off his face on something", and Mrs Smout said he walked straight into the garden and approached the neighbour's daughter.

She said he had locked himself out of his house, and was complaining his father had "stitched him up".

The strange interaction culminated with Delaney picking up a carrier bag full of water and throwing it at his victim.

Mrs Smout said he was asked to leave and Delaney lost his temper, smashing a recycling bin, then grabbing the victim by the arms.

She said he pushed her around and spat in her face around 20 times, periodically slapping her across the face.

The court heard he later held her to the ground, attempting to drag her by her hair and punch her in the face.

Mrs Smout said the victim was screaming for help, and when her friend tried to intervene, he attempted to spit at her as well.

Arrested and interviewed, Delaney denied the offence, claiming he was the person to be attacked.

A trial was heard on September 16, and Mrs Smout described it as one of the most bizarre she had ever dealt with.

She said Delaney represented himself, and did not ask either of the witnesses any questions.

Convicted, Delaney case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report, but missed the appointment.

Delaney said he had missed the call from probation, when he was working on the seafront in Seaview and had no signal.

Magistrates told Delaney they would give him "the benefit of doubt" and adjourned his case to November 15 so a pre-sentence report could be produced.

He was granted conditional bail.