A Patchway dad says he punched his son in the face because he found drugs on the kitchen table.
Wayne Barker, of Ashford Road, attacked 24-year-old Darren and smashed a glass hob.
Barker was ordered to pay £267 at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (October 13), after admitting assault and criminal damage.
Police arrested the 48-year-old, who describes himself as a house-husband, in the early hours of February 26.
District Judge Lynne Matthews said: “At 2am, police went to Ashford Road after reports of a domestic incident between the defendant and his son.
“The report was the defendant had gone downstairs and smashed a glass hob after punching his son in the face.
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“He admitted the assault at the scene and naturally the witnesses didn’t want to support a prosecution.
“When the defendant was interviewed, he said it was a family argument about this and that.”
Barker told police he broke the hob to “release his frustration and anger”.
Representing himself and wearing a black face mask in the dock, he said: “Basically the drug use has been going on for five years.
“That night I went out for my birthday, had a few drinks and came home to find drugs on the kitchen table.”
The sight of the illegal substance caused him to punch his son, he says.
District Judge Matthews asked him: “You were offered a caution if you went on an anger management course. Was that not for you?”
Barker pointed out his appointment was during the coronavirus pandemic and he did not have a smart phone with which to join a video call.
But the district judge replied: “It went beyond that though – you told police you couldn’t afford the £85 fee.”
The defendant said: “I couldn’t afford it, no. There wasn’t much money going in at the time.”
He added: “I’m a househusband and look after my two grandsons.”
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Barker’s failure to take the course meant he was handed £267 worth of penalties on Tuesday.
District Judge Matthews fined him £150 and told him to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £32 victim surcharge.
Asked if he wanted to pay £26.70 a week, Barker replied: “I can pay it all today.”
Barker, who has no previous convictions, told the court he bought a new hob the day after the incident.
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