AN 87-YEAR-OLD’S tumble into a table of canapés at a Christmas party led to an almost year-long investigation and testimony through the courts.

Anthony Appleton claimed the “menacing” behaviour of magazine owner Allan Sayers caused him to step back and fall into the canapés and onto the floor.

But Magistrates have ruled Mr Appleton did not “receive fear of unlawful touching and the cause was not proved” at a trial.

The scenario stemmed from ongoing “bad blood” between the two residents of Brighton’s tallest block of flats, Sussex Heights, Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard.

Mr Sayers, 61, the partner of a leaseholder, wanted to discuss an ongoing wrangle about a water mains leak on the roof of the 25-storey, 116-apartment block with Mr Appleton, a director of the building’s managing company.

Mr Appleton said he wanted to “get on with the party” in the building’s foyer on Friday, December 13, last year, attended by about 30 residents.

He told the court: “I said, ‘Allan, please stop it. Not only are you not a shareholder, you are not even married to the woman you are with.’.”

Elizabeth Green, prosecuting, put it to Mr Sayers that he suddenly moved towards Mr Appleton, causing “enough concern that he fell over”.

Mr Sayers, charged with common assault, said it was part of an animated discussion and was offended by Mr Appleton saying he was not married.

Mr Sayers described the toppling as something “completely out of the blue”.

Oliver Mackrell, defending Mr Sayers, asked Mr Appleton: “Isn’t it fair to say that Mr Sayers was incredulous at the [married] comment and asked, ‘Come on, Tony, why are you saying this?’ ?”

Mr Sayers told the court that earlier in the evening Mr Appleton had said “in a banterful way” that he would “like to pummel me to death and that shooting was too good for me”, adding, “He seemed to be trying to wind me up.”

When asked if he threatened Mr Sayers, Mr Appleton said: “At my age, what could I threaten him with? A stick?”

Magistrate Ian Wedge, in summing up, said: “We believe Mr Appleton is a strong character who made curt remarks.

“The defendant at this time was rational and was standing up for himself. There was no intention to cause harm.”

Mr Sayers was found not guilty.

Afterwards, Mr Sayers told The Argus: “I have been vindicated. It has been a terribly stressful year.”