Clarke, a mechanic, was locked in a festering feud with the 32-year-old WBU welterweight champion for years, Northern Ireland High Court was told.

But the simmering dispute between the two families turned vicious late last month, Crown lawyers said.

Barrister Kate McKay said: “There was an accusation that Eamonn Magee’s children had damaged a snowman made by the applicant’s children.”

Clarke then called at Magee’s household to complain about the children and reached an agreement that they would be disciplined, the court heard.

But tempers later flared after the boxer’s wife and Clarke’s partner allegedly rowed.

Ms McKay said the boxer, who a witness said had been drinking, then went to Clarke’s home and head-butted him in a scuffle on the front lawn of his home in Lagmore Dale in the Poleglass district of west Belfast.

But after Mr Magee was driven from the scene, Clarke allegedly chased after him in another car.

Ms McKay said Clarke and another unidentified man allegedly got out of their vehicle with cudgels and smashed the front windows of the car, then attacked Magee.

Ms McKay said: “This applicant struck Eamonn Magee between 10 and 20 times to the leg area with the baton.

“It appears the leg was obviously broken after a few strikes but the attack continued.”

Magee, who had been lined up for a major fight next month, has admitted the broken leg and punctured lung he sustained mean he will never be back in the ring again.

Even though Mr Clarke provided detectives with an alibi when he was arrested and obtained six different witness statements for the time of the attack last Monday, police believe these accounts contained discrepancies, Ms McKay added.

Despite concerns expressed by the Crown that Clarke could attempt to make contact with a crucial witness who was in the car with Magee, Lord Justice McCollum granted bail.

The judge did so after hearing from defence barrister Barry Gibson that Clarke has already decided his family will quit their home in an attempt to end the feud with the Magees.

Mr Gibson said Clarke also denied the charges of grievous bodily harm, possession of a weapon and causing damage to the car Magee was in.

As he granted bail, the judge ordered Clarke not to consume any alcohol.

He also stressed he should not try to contact Magee or any member of his family.

Mr Gibson also told the court Clarke and his partner, Marie, became heavily involved in charity work following the Chernobyl disaster.

They have travelled to Belarus and taken three youngsters from the area, aged 16, 15 and eight, into foster care along with their own two children, he revealed.