A FATHER has been banned from collecting his two children from school for two years after a playground attack on another man.

Parents of pupils at Green Lane Primary School, in Middlesbrough, have been sent letters by the headteacher about the action taken against businessman Walait Hussein.

Hussein, 35, punched and kicked Nicholas Cann, 33, leaving him with a black eye and abrasions three weeks after the pair clashed, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The court was told that he turned aggressive when Mr Cann arrived and Hussein demanded: "Let's have it out now."

Mr Cann turned away but Hussein punched him three times in the face. Then, as he fell to his knees, Hussein kicked him several times, said Graham Gaston, prosecuting.

Other fathers who were waiting for their children intervened.

When Hussein was arrested he claimed that Mr Cann was the aggressor.

He was shamed and embarrassed by the school ban and bitterly regretted what had happened, said John Elvidge, mitigating.

Recorder Tim Hirst told Hussein: "The courts will ensure that children are protected from violence."

Hussein of Roman Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, was ordered to do 200 hours' community service and pay £537 in prosecution costs after he pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm and assault on January 20.

Olive Forsythe, spokeswoman for the National Union of Teachers, said: "Schools can't allow their children to be put in danger and they should not have to witness altercations between parents."