A couple who were attacked by samurai sword-wielding neighbours in their Marylebone home are outraged after the pair walked free from court.

Madeline and Simon Korn said they were “disgusted” after Mrs Freddie Booker-Carson was given an absolute discharge after admitting common assault.

Mrs Booker-Carson’s husband, Simon, was earlier given a suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm after he attacked Mr Korn in October last year.

The couple had been involved in a dispute after the Korns started work on their flat, directly above Mr and Mrs Booker-Carson.

Tim Clark, prosecuting, said: “This case arose out of a neighbour’s dispute which was not run-of-the-mill.

“There were disputes over work being done which erupted in the early hours of October 26 2008. Mr Korn complained about noise to the night-porter. This led to Mr Booker- Carson coming upstairs armed with the antique samurai sword.

“Mr Korn, fearing for his safety, grabbed the sword and received serious lacerations to his hand.

“The defendant [Mrs Booker-Carson] slapped Dr Korn around her body.”

The judge heard that Mrs Booker-Carson, an art curator who is involved with various charities, had “impeccable character” and recognised that the court proceedings had a “severe” impact on her.

Speaking outside court, Mr Korn, a 58-year-old estate agent, said that the attack had left him permanently scarred and unable to sing at shacharit each morning at South Hampstead Synagogue.

Dr Korn, an art historian, said: “It’s had a major impact on our lives. We are angered and bewildered that two people who have received a sentence have not received custodial sentences.”