A MALVERN man was given a restraining order after repeatedly punching his dad in the face after an argument.

Robert Hooper pleaded guilty to assault when he appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court.

Hooper, who has mental health issues, had told his parents he had not attended an appointment with the psychiatric nurse before going to the cashpoint to collect his benefits on Wednesday, September 26.

It was on his return that he and his father David came to blows after he found his parents had locked him out of the house he shared with them in Upper Howsell Road.

Prosecutor Mark Johnson said: “The defendant used a clenched fist and punched his father three to four times in the face. His father made attempts to pull himself off and didn’t retaliate. This was the culmination of ongoing problems. Both these people are in fear of their son.”

Hooper’s father David suffered reddening, bruises and welling to the forehead, left and right cheeks and reddening to his stomach.

In his defence, Sunil Jagatia said Hooper, aged 24, had been remanded in custody for seven weeks and had pleaded guilty at his first appearance in court.

Chairman of the bench Claire Pilling gave him a 12- month supervision order and imposed a restraining order for two years with the condition he must not have any contact with his parents or go within 100 metres of their address.