Double glazing salesman 'punched customer for getting quote from a rival firm'

Carl Birkenshaw, 42, allegedly threw a series of punches at George Dixon after accusing him and his wife of wasting his time during a meeting at the couple's home.

He erupted with rage when Mr Dixon informed him that they had already sought a quote from another firm for new windows to be fitted into their luxury conservatory.

Attacking his rival's reputation and quality of work he went on to criticise the Dixons for calling him out to their home and repeatedly refused to leave, the court heard.

When Mr Dixon tried to usher him towards the front door Birkenshaw grabbed him by the throat and swung two punches at him, Bedlington magistrates court was told.

Mr Dixon retaliated and punched Birkenshaw on the chin, knocking him back on to the settee.

As Birkenshaw got up Mr Dixon is said to have tripped and fallen backwards onto the floor. Towering over him Birkenshaw then allegedly said: 'I've got you now, you bastard.'

The sales manager leapt on top of Mr Dixon before punching him at least three times in the face whilst his hysterical wife, Evelyn, telephoned the police, the hearing was told.

Mr Dixon managed to get up and heard his wife tell Birkenshaw that the police were on their way. The salesman ran past him, grabbed his briefcase and left the house.

But before driving off in his car he turned furiously to Mr Dixon and said he would bring people round to 'sort him out'.

Mr Dixon, who was left bleeding from his mouth and with injuries to his face and shoulder, was later seen by his GP and prescribed painkillers for the effects of the punches.

The extraordinary fight occurred in February this year after Birkenshaw was invited to the couple's home in Cramlington, Northumberland, to give them a quote for their conservatory.

When Mr Dixon later informed him that they had also spoken to another company, Birkenshaw, a salesman for Paramount Windows and Conservatories, allegedly lost his temper.

He denies assault and insists he acted in self-defence after Mr Dixon became aggressive.

Birkenshaw, of North Shields, North Tyneside, claims he was punched first after being asked to leave.

But Mr Dixon told the court that Birkenshaw's attitude and manner became aggressive when he told him that he and his wife had already been given a quote for a conservatory by a rival firm, UK Windows.

"I said all we wanted was a quote, not to hear him slagging off the other company," he said. "He (Birkenshaw) started shouting and ranting that we were wasting his time and so I stood up and asked him to leave.

"My wife was becoming very upset. I asked him four times to leave the house but he refused to move. We went through a horrendous night with this bloke for no reason at all."

Mr Dixon denied suggestions from Birkenshaw's solicitor, John Monkhouse, that he was making parts of his story up and that he had thrown the first punch.

The trial was adjourned until next month.