Leafing through the Herald archive frequently throws up an old gem – and it hasn’t disappointed this week, with a corker of a court case to share.

‘Neighbours’ feud comes to a head’ was the wry headline on the front of the Haslemere Herald in October 2009 - back when this reporter was a very raw junior at that very paper, and colourful court copy was always in good supply thanks to Hindhead-based news agency Cassidy and Leigh.

We have avoided mentioning the names of those involved as anyone accused of a crime has a right to be forgotten - but what follows is an otherwise true account.

“A Hambledon man got more than he bargained for when he decided to confront a neighbour about his wife’s late-night snoring,” began the Herald’s report, adding that “sleepless nights left a neighbour badly injured when he got the rough end of a rolling pin from the woman’s husband”.

Guildford Crown Court heard the neighbour was left pouring with blood after the confrontation. But the alleged attacker walked free after a jury unanimously acquitted him of assault.

The trial detailed a long-running feud between the neighbour, a warehouseman, and the couple living in the flat above him. Complaints had been made to the local council, with each side accusing the other of unreasonable behaviour.

On the night in question, the neighbour had confronted the couple about the snoring, only to be met with a rolling pin-wielding response. The court heard differing accounts, with the neighbour claiming he was struck repeatedly, while the husband insisted he acted in self-defence.

In the end, the jury sided with the defendant, and he and his wife wept as the verdict was delivered.

It’s the kind of tale that proves truth is often stranger than fiction – and a reminder that sometimes, it’s best just to buy some earplugs.