SCAFFOLDER Lee Ellis spoiled for a fight when a youngster smashed one of his windows with a football, a court heard.

Ellis, 33, of Downton Road, Penhill, pleaded guilty to affray and criminal damage on April 20.

Prosecuting, Jim Bennett told Swindon Crown Court that a 13-year-old boy kicked a ball through Ellis' window.

Mr Bennett said: "At 8.15pm the boy's mother was having a cigarette and she saw the defendant escorting her son to her house. She was obviously concerned. The defendant was holding her son by the neck."

Mr Bennett described how intoxicated Ellis then entered the woman's home and hit her in the face with the heel of his hand. He asked her 'where's your old man?' and then went into the back garden where he goaded a man he saw there into a fight, Mr Bennett said.

But instead of the boy's father it was a neighbour, who had his T-shirt ripped and gold chain damaged in the struggle that ensued.

A remorseful Ellis was sentenced to 180 hours community punishment order and told to pay £350 compensation.