Neighbour from hell 'attacked' disabled man with hammer while walking to the shops

A neighbour from hell allegedly attacked a disabled man with hammer as he walked to the shops.

Paul Dibben, 41, was headed to a Co-op in Poole to pick up items for a family barbecue on July 4, according to his family.

Mr Dibben's family alleged he was then attacked by his neighbour with a hammer, resulting in significant head injuries.

His daughter, Ruby Dibben, told the Bournemouth Echo she was disappointed in how long it took for Dorset Police to respond to the incident.

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She said her father has a number of health conditions, including Behçet's disease and a walking impairment.

Ruby Dibben said: "He has suffered three strokes, and it's impacted his ability to walk and sometimes he is difficult to understand.

"He would never hurt a fly. I can't help feeling angry and disappointed."

Ms Dibben claimed she heard the alleged attacker shouting from her property after returning from the hospital.

They then called the police again, but felt it took too long for the force to respond.

"We called 999 straight away, but despite being told to report her location immediately, we were told to 'please be patient, it takes time to drive' and the police took what felt like far too long to arrive," she said.

She alleged it was nearly two hours before Ms Dibben and her uncle went to check on her dad.

She said: "Thankfully, my dad is alive, and for that we are so grateful.

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"It feels as though vulnerable victims of serious violent crime are not being treated with the urgency they deserve."

Dorset Police, however, refuted her claim that it took two hours for officers to arrive.

The force said: "We were called at 6.49pm on Saturday 4 July 2026 by a member of the public to say she had been approached by an unknown man, who reported he had been hit on the head with a hammer 15 minutes earlier outside the Co-op store in Northmead Drive in Poole by a woman who was known to him.

"It was reported that the victim had returned home and the suspect had left the scene.

"A description of the suspect was taken from the informant and an ambulance was requested. Officers arrived at 7.21pm.

"The victim was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment to lacerations to his head. His condition is not described as serious or life-threatening.

"A 57-year-old woman from Poole was arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

"She has been released on conditional police bail while enquiries continue.

"An investigation is underway, including taking witness statements and carrying out CCTV checks."

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