A MIDDLESBROUGH man who helps look after unruly schoolchildren has pleaded guilty to assaulting a disabled man.

David Boyle admitted punching his neighbour in the face after he confronted the man over his grandson's abusive behaviour.

The 32-year-old, who works as a learning and inclusion mentor for vulnerable children, admitted he lost his temper and assaulted Robert Holdsworth as he sat in his car.

Mr Holdsworth, who was brought in to Teesside Magistrates' Court in a wheelchair, told the hearing he was left covered in blood and requiring dental treatment.

The court heard Boyle, of Saltersgill Avenue, was angered after being continually abused by Mr Holdsworth's eight-year-old grandson and flagged him down as he drove towards him.

Warren Grier, prosecuting, said: "The defendant jumped into the car and then assaulted him. Mr Holdsworth was hit approximately ten times in the head area and, at this point, his head was jammed between the head rest and the window.

"Mr Holdsworth was trying to protect his head and said Boyle grabbed his hair and began to punch him again."

Mr Holdsworth said: "He told me that my grandson had been swearing at him.

"He said 'as he doesn't have a dad, you're the next best thing'. He then started abusing me and started to hit my head."

He added: "I felt my teeth crack and there was just blood everywhere."

Despite pleading guilty to the assault, Boyle contested the severity of the attack.

He claimed he only hit Mr Holdsworth twice after he had stopped the car to discuss what had happened earlier and lost his temper.

Boyle said: "He said he wasn't prepared to do anything about it. I was getting nowhere and hadn't calmed down and I lunged into the car and hit him again."

Boyle, who has known Mr Holdsworth for a number of years, told the court he didn't know he was registered disabled and had never seen him in a wheelchair before.

Chairman of the bench Judith Lally said: "It was an unprovoked attack. Mr Holdsworth was vulnerable due to his age, disability and position in the car."

The case was adjourned until Friday, January 13, while a pre-sentence report is prepared.