A 24-YEAR-OLD Trawsfynydd man assaulted a 15-year-old schoolboy and the attack was witnessed by a child, magistrates at Dolgellau heard.

Jim Nearey, prosecuting, said that the victim was punched at least 10 times to the face and head and when down on the ground was kneed to the head and neck by the assailant.

The victim rolled up into a ball to protect himself, the court heard.

The crown prosecutor added that an aggravating factor was because the assault was witnessed by a child.

Richard Idris Jones, 24, of 11 Bro Prysor pleaded guilty to assault by beating on the 15-year-old at Trawsfynydd on 2 May.

The assault took place at the home of the defendant’s former partner. When the police arrived the defendant was co-operative and showed remorse.

Magistrates made a Section 45 Order preventing the publication of the 15-year-old victim’s name.

Sion Hughes, defending, said that the defendant was ashamed of what he had done.

Mr Hughes said that the defendant had been in a relationship with his ex and they had a son.

“When my client went to his ex partner’s home he was suspicious after seeing the victim in the house. He thought that the victim was older and in his 20s,” he told the court.

The court probation officer said that the defendant was attending court for the first time and took full responsibility for his actions that day and realised the effect the assault had had on the victim, his ex partner and a child, and put the assault down to an emotional reaction to seeing the victim in his ex partner’s house.

The probation officer suggested that because of the circumstances of the assault, the intervention by the probation service would be beneficial and recommended 25 days’ rehabilitation sessions and an unpaid work element.

The magistrates agreed and chairman Sarah Foskett imposed a 12-month community order with 25 days’ rehabilitation and 300 hours unpaid work.

Jones was ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and £85 victim surcharge and pay £200 compensation to the victim after the magistrates were shown photos of the bruising to the victim’s head and neck.