Hull Man Sentenced for Violent Assault Following Loud Music Dispute
A dedicated family man from Hull has been jailed after a long-running dispute over excessively loud music escalated into a terrifying and prolonged knife attack on his neighbour. Peter Lesko, 48, formerly of Broadley Close in east Hull, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following the violent incident on October 25.
The Night of the Attack
The court heard that Lesko's neighbour was at home after midnight, enjoying a drink and listening to what was described as "moderately loud" music. Having reached his breaking point after repeated disturbances, Lesko first telephoned police to report the noise. When the music continued, his emotions overwhelmed him.
Lesko initially banged on his neighbour's door and window before climbing through an open kitchen window into the property. He found the man asleep on a sofa and launched what Judge John Thackray KC described as a "prolonged and determined" assault.
A Terrifying Ordeal
The victim woke to find Lesko "going berserk" and punching him in the face. Lesko seized the man by his hair, smashed his head against the floor, and threatened to cut his ears off. Most chillingly, he warned: "You will die tonight."
Lesko then took a knife from the victim's own kitchen and stabbed him repeatedly. He also struck the man with a speaker, which shattered into pieces, before kicking and punching him while hurling fragments of the broken speaker at him.
The terrified victim managed to escape upstairs and lock himself in his bedroom, but Lesko pursued him and attempted to break the door down before eventually returning downstairs and throwing items around the property.
Police Intervention and Injuries
Another neighbour called police at around 1am, reporting what they believed was a robbery in progress. Officers gained entry through a rear patio door to discover the victim seriously injured. He was transported to Hull Royal Infirmary with two wounds to the back of his right arm, along with injuries to his lower back and forearm.
Lesko was arrested at his own home at 1.45am. The victim later stated: "This incident has made me feel scared to go back to my home. You never expect your neighbour to behave in such a way. I no longer feel safe in my address. I feel unsafe and isolated. I feel I was lucky to survive with my life."
Background to the Dispute
In mitigation, David McGonigal explained that Lesko had endured what Judge Thackray called a "high level of provocation" from extremely loud music that regularly played into the early hours. The noise vibrations travelled through the living room, preventing Lesko's young son from sleeping and forcing Lesko to turn his television up to hear it.
"He describes the music as being unbearable," said Mr McGonigal. "A previous resident of the property found the loud music a nightmare" and claimed the neighbour went on "two or three-day benders."
Lesko had attempted to resolve the situation peacefully, initially speaking to his neighbour and later contacting both police and the council on multiple occasions. On October 19, police had spoken to the neighbour and given him words of advice, but the music continued.
On the night of the attack, Lesko again telephoned police and was advised to contact the council. When the music and shouting persisted, his emotions finally overwhelmed him.
Sentencing and Aftermath
Judge Thackray noted that while Lesko had endured significant provocation, he had "lost your temper and launched a prolonged and determined attack upon your victim." The judge added: "The injuries were bad but they could have been so much worse. Your attack has had a profound effect upon your victim."
Lesko, who had no prior convictions, expressed remorse and was described as a dedicated family man originally from Slovakia who had worked at a food company for approximately 20 years and was held in high regard. He, his wife and children had since relocated to a new property while letting out their former home.
Peter Lesko received a custodial sentence of two years and four months, along with a five-year restraining order. The charge of attempted murder was denied by Lesko and subsequently dropped by the prosecution.
