The pair became embroiled in a dispute soon after Locke moved in a few doors down from Cowling in the same row of houses on June 27, repeatedly arguing over the younger man’s loud music that blasted from his house at all hours of the day and night. On the night of September 5, Cowling turned off the power to Locke’s flat three times in an attempt to get the music to stop. Supplied Mark Cowling died after an altercation with his neighbour, one which came to a head after a dispute over noise that went on for months. After the third time Locke got a knife from his kitchen, put it in his back pocket, and walked over to Cowling’s flat to confront him.