A DRUNK thug who assaulted a child has been jailed.
Scott Beard, of Princes Drive, Diglis, Worcester, punched the child in the chest with a clenched fist on October 9, 2021.
Andrew Davidson, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court, said the 43-year-old had been "heavily intoxicated" and smoked cannabis before he committed the offence in Worcester.
Beard then grabbed a hammer saying, if anyone came, he would "smash them over the head" with the weapon.
The court heard the child had been "hysterical" at the time and traumatised by Beard's actions.
The crime had been committed in front of other children who were also terrified, the court heard.
Mr Davidson said Beard had a number of previous convictions and had previously been to prison.
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He added the offence Beard had admitted - causing assault of a child/young person, to cause unnecessary suffering/ injury - also breached a suspended sentence Beard had been given for possession of an offensive weapon.
Stefan Kolodynski, defending, said Beard was battling an alcohol addiction and the beer he drank, coupled with smoking cannabis, had been an "extremely volatile combination".
Mr Kolodynski said since the offence "fate had intervened" as Beard had suffered a stroke a year ago.
He explained how the defendant now struggled to feed himself adding "he is not the man he once was".
The barrister said Beard had turned up to court confused and did not even remember admitting the offence.
Sentencing Beard, His Honour Judge Jonathan Salmon said what happened must have affected the victim and other children present "to a degree it is difficult to imagine".
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He jailed Beard for 30 months saying due to the seriousness of the offence only immediate custody was appropriate.
Beard was also given a five-year restraining order preventing contact with the victim.
The case was heard at the court on Friday, (July 10).
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