MAGISTRATES imposed a two year conditional discharge on John Tinnion after hearing how he attacked his father with a golf club.

Kennet magistrates in Devizes were told on Tuesday that Tinnion, 20, is a patient at Green Lane Hospital, Devizes, and will be receiving treatment for mental health problems for some time.

Tinnion assaulted his father, also called John, on September 5 and pleaded guilty at an earlier court hearing. Mr Tinnion senior had gone to his daughter's house in Devizes after receiving a text from his wife saying that his son was drunk and had upset her.

When Mr Tinnion senior refused to give his son £10, his son became aggressive and grabbed him by the throat.

Tinnion swung a golf club at his father hitting him on the shoulder.

Rachael Hume, prosecuting, said the force of the impact broke the shaft in half. Mr Tinnion senior's shoulder was sore and bruised as a result.

Tinnion dropped the broken golf club and after a struggle, his father phoned for the police.

Tinnion admitted the assault to police and said he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.