A MAN appeared in court to admit punching his elderly father in the head. 

Gary Bulleyment, 38, of Grass Street, Darlington, pleaded guilty to assault by beating.

Blair Martin, prosecuting, told Darlington magistrates that  Bulleyment punched his 73-year-old father so hard he suffered a cut around his ear.

Jonathan Harley, mitigating, said Bulleyment was living with his father at the time after breaking up with his girlfriend and had turned to drink and drugs to cope with the split.

“He is back with his partner now and moved out of his father’s house and reconciled with him,” he said.

“He has apologised to his father and he accepted that apology.”

District judge Christina Harrison adjourned sentencing until November 15 for reports.

Bulleyment was granted conditional bail.