A 33 YEAR old man from Cross Hills punched his father while in a ‘sate of frenzy’ and threw a chair leg through his kitchen window, heard Skipton Magistrates Court.

Benjamin Booker had been greatly effected by what had happened in his younger life and normally dealt with it by drinking, but on July 7 had gone to his father’s home in Glusburn after first phoning him late at night, saying how he had bullied him when he was younger, and that he was coming round to sort him out, the court heard yesterday (Friday).

Booker had turned up at his father -Anthony Booker’s - house in Colne Road, Glusburn where his father was at first waiting outside in the road, before going inside and closing the door.

When he then opened the door, Anthony Booker was punched in the face by his son, causing it to bleed, said prosecutor, Nadine Clough.

Booker then kicked the door and smashed a window with a chair leg left in the garden. The police were called, his mother turned up and Booker became aggressive, resisted arrest and had to be restrained, said Ms Clough.

Booker, of Airedale View, Cross Hills, of previous good character, admitted criminal damage, assault by beating and resisting an officer in the execution of his duty.

His father had not needed medical attention, but had been sore after being punched, and had wanted his son to get on with his life and leave him alone.

In mitigation, John Mewies said Booker was a very troubled and disturbed young man as a result of what had happened to him when he was younger.

He had bottled up what had happened to him until about 18 months ago when he had talked about it with his mother and together they were trying to deal with it.

His attack on his father had been carried out when he was in a ‘state of frenzy’ and out of frustration and he had lost control when his mother had turned up outside the house, and so resisting the attempts of the officer to arrest him , said Mr Mewies.

“He bitterly regrets that, he has no animosity to the police and wishes to apologise to the officer. It is a very sad case, “ said Mr Mewies.

Magistrates told Booker they had taken into account his previous good character and that he clearly had some deep seated issues.

He was fined £673 for the assault by beating, and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £67 surcharge. There was no separate penalty for the other charges and no order made for compensation for the damage. Magistrates also agreed to a restraining order, banning Booker from contacting his father in any way or going to his house.