A TEENAGER had to be treated for hearing loss after his father hit him in the head during an argument, a court has heard.
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The boy's father appeared in the Bendigo Magistrates' Court this week where he pleaded guilty to assault.
The court heard on July 20 last year, the teen was at his father's home when an argument started.
The man grabbed his son by the hair and struck him in the face with an open hand.
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The argument continued and the man again hit the boy, collecting his left ear. The court heard the boy lost balance and had ringing in his ears.
The boy's mother arrived to pick up the teen, who was crying and couldn't hear properly.
The teenager was taken to a hearing clinic, which confirmed he would need to see an ear specialist for treatment.
The court heard then on July 28, the boy went to his father's house to collect some belongings.
Another argument started and the man grabbed the teen by his shirt.
The father placed his son in a chokehold, grabbed his hair, and punched him to the face.
The boy was eventually able to leave the property without his belongings. The court heard he was anxious and distressed from the assault.
The teenager reported the incident to police and the man was arrested and interviewed on July 30. He denied assaulting his son and told police the boy was "highly anxious and aggressive".
The teen made an original statement to police about his father assaulting him, but later asked for the charges to not proceed because he didn't want his father to get into trouble.
The court heard the son wanted his father to be rehabilitated rather than spend time in custody.
Magistrate Megan Aumair said she would honour that request and not sentence the man to a long term of imprisonment.
The man was instead given a 12-month community corrections order. He will be required to complete 100 hours of community work.
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Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
