The victim also vigorously denied having taken the money, Albury Local Court has heard.

Dale Warren Arthur's use of his head to perpetrate violence continued at his own expense when he later headbutted a wall in his cell at the Albury police station.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Magistrate Richard Funston said the "best thing I've heard today" was defence lawyer Emma Harrison's submission that Arthur had embarked on counselling over his use of alcohol.

The court was told this week that the 59-year-old bricklayer's substance abuse had in part stemmed from attempts to self-medicate for pain from workplace injuries.

Ms Harrison said Arthur's decision to assault the victim was made "in the heat of the moment".

"He very much wanted the victim to leave his house and not come back," she said.

MORE COURT STORIES

Mr Funston placed Arthur on a supervised, 12-month community corrections order, which if he breached he would "run the risk of being locked up".

"You've done 45 years of bricklaying, you deserve to have a good, calm retirement," he said.

Arthur, a disability pensioner, pleaded guilty to a single charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Police said Arthur's criminal record included matters of assault, intimidation, break and enter and contravening an apprehended violence order.

In the two months leading up to the assault, Arthur's son invited the victim to come around to play on his gaming console.

The friends fell out on December 17. On December 19, the victim was told by his friend that he was not allowed at Arthur's house so would have to come to his own home to collect his game controller.

That afternoon the victim drove to the house of Arthur, who let him inside.

Arthur told him he would not get his controller until he returned the cash.

"I didn't steal it," he replied.

Soon after, Arthur headbutted him.