A FATHER who launched an “unprovoked” attack on a schoolboy has been given a community order.

Martin Thomas, 42, punched the teenager – who cannot be named for legal reasons – on November 16 last year after seeing him outside Tesco in Llandrindod Wells.

Thomas broke the victim’s glasses and caused his lip to bleed after punching him twice in the face.

The father of two entered a guilty plea when appearing at Llandrindod Magistrates Court on Wednesday, September 16.

Prosecutor Steven Davies said: “The teen was outside Tesco with a friend when he heard an aggressive male shouting at him, saying he was ‘going to kill him’. He felt threatened and then felt a punch which hit him in the face and broke his glasses.

“The man was continually aggressive and hit the complainant a second time in the face.”

Acting for Thomas, of Dulas Bank, Tremont Park, Llandrindod, Robert Hanratty said his client had been in a “highly emotional state” at the time.

“He admits being in Tesco but for a completely unrelated matter. He saw the complainant and approached him, the young man gave him some verbals back.

“It was hardly a Lennox Lewis-style punch, more of a backhand slap. But he doesn’t seek to minimise this incident. It’s an aberration on what has otherwise been significant progress made in his life.”

Probation officer Rachel Lonsdale was asked to compile a pre-sentence report and said: “Mr Thomas accepts full responsibility for his actions and offers no excuse for his behaviour.

“He was shocked by his actions and we spoke about the age of the victim and how he would have felt were the roles reversed.”

She noted Thomas has 12 convictions for 28 previous offences – mostly committed in his youth – but that he has made positive changes to his lifestyle and has not been in court since 2015.

Chair of the bench, Ingrid Gallagher, said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a child, you are not a good role model for your children or others.”

Thomas received a 12-month community order – including rehabilitation activities for 23 days.

He was ordered to pay a total of £573 – including £150 compensation to his victim, a £153 fine, £90 surcharge and £180 costs.