A DEVIZES man attacked a father of seven because his psychological condition made him unable to handle situations of tension, a court heard last week.

David Cook, 21, from Matilda Way, Devizes, changed his plea and admitted causing grievous bodily harm to 30-year-old Mark Sprules on August 29 this year.

Cook had previously pleaded not guilty and elected trial by jury at Salisbury Crown Court, but told Kennet magistrates he now accepted he had assaulted his victim.

Amanda Sawetz, prosecuting, said Mr Sprules was at home with his partner and their seven children when their son Daniel returned home, saying that he had had an argument with Cook, who had followed him home.

Mr Sprules went outside to confront Cook, who was with several other people.

Ms Sawetz said Cook had picked up a step ladder and charged at Mr Sprules, who put up his hands to defend himself. After the incident Mr Sprules suffered pain and swelling in his right hand and an X-ray at the Royal United Hospital in Bath discovered he had a broken bone in the little finger.

He required an operation to reset the bone and was off work for six weeks. As well as the considerable loss of earnings, he was unable to do anything for himself.

In interview, Cook denied to police that he had hit Mr Sprules and was only waving the ladder around to break up an argument.

Andrew Watts-Jones said his client suffered from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as well as other psychological problems which made him anxious and liable to react to situations in an inappropriate way.

In addition, he had fallen under the influence of another local man, Ross Whiteside, who Mr Watts-Jones said was a very powerful and aggressive man who had a grudge against Mr Sprules.

Although prosecution and defence disagreed as to whether the assault was unprovoked or not, presiding magistrate Stephen Brazier said that this would have had very little bearing on their decision.

They called for an all options pre-sentence report. The case was adjourned to January 26 at Andover Magistrates' Court.