Pottki Tangimetua, 66, was granted diversion in the Dunedin District Court yesterday.
Police diversion is an alternative way to deal with criminal charges, allowing eligible offenders to avoid a conviction by completing agreed conditions set by the police.
If the requirements are met, the charge is withdrawn, and no conviction is recorded.
Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said police were called to a South Dunedin address at 3am on April 15 after a disagreement between neighbours escalated to a man being hit twice with a crowbar.
The resident of the home, a 32-year-old man, was up early listening to loud music and painting his kitchen when Tangimetua came over with the implement.
The loud music had angered Tangimetua, and he went over to confront his neighbour, police said.
An argument ensued and then escalated before the man allegedly twice hit the victim with a crowbar.
Police arrived and arrested Tangimetua, who was charged with injuring with intent to injure.
At the defendant’s bail hearing the duty lawyer explained Tangimetua was legally blind.
The lawyer also said he only had one prior conviction which was from 1982.
