Alan Arvon Williams, of Longford, pleaded guilty in the Launceston Magistrates Court yesterday to two counts of common assault and one count of having injured property.

Police prosecutor Konrad Plachta told the court Williams paid for a shed to be built on his property and the tradesman started work on November 26.

Mr Plachta said the tradesman told Williams he could not attend on November 27 and Williams told him to collect his tools.

The tradesman arrived with his partner and a building company representative.

The prosecutor said Williams pursued the tradesman with a piece of wood while saying "who is f---ing first", hit the front of the man's Mitsubishi utility with the wood, then threw the wood at the tradesman's partner.

The chunk of wood failed to make contact with either victim, one of whom partly recorded the events.

Mr Plachta said the incident stopped when the tradesman punched Williams.

The prosecutor said Williams told police he had no intention to harm anyone and he sent an email of apology.

Williams, who represented himself, said he had been going through personal difficulties at the time and had had enough after the tradesman repeatedly failed to start work when promised during the previous weeks.

He said that during a telephone conversation the tradesman told him he was at another job, but he could hear children, so he thought the tradesman was at home.

Williams said when the tradesman arrived to collect his tools, the tradesman verbally abused him.

Magistrate Sharon Cure convicted Williams and ordered him to be of good behaviour for 48 months.

Williams must also pay $1655.59 compensation for the dent to the car.