John Richard Reynolds, 74, of Crestwood Drive, pleaded not guilty to three charges relating to an incident that took place between 9.20am and 9.40am on February 24, 2018.

Magistrate Jennifer Price found Reynolds guilty without proceeding to conviction.

She placed Reynolds on a conditional release order for two years. The CRO means Reynolds cannot commit any offence in that time frame.

Reynolds, who was aged 72 years at the time of the incident, was charged with using an offensive weapon with the intent to commit an indictable offence; affray; and reckless grievous bodily harm.

The confrontation between Reynolds and a neighbour over a common patch of grass between their properties ended with the neighbour being transported to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle with serious injuries as a result of contact with lawn mower blades.

He had his left hand down to the wrist amputated and also received skin grafts to inner thigh injuries.

An apprehended violence order remains in place.

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