A TEENAGER who punched a 14-year-old boy in the face outside a shop has been sent to a young offenders’ institute for more than seven months.

Benjamin Parkinson attacked the youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, while he chatted with some friends outside a convenience store.

Parkinson, aged 19, of Poplar Avenue, Brickfields, Worcester, admitted a charge of assault by beating when he appeared at the city’s magistrates court on Thursday.

He also admitted committing a Bail Act offence and breaching a probation order by failing to attend appointments.

Marie Watton, prosecuting, said Parkinson assaulted the boy outside the Co-op store in Lichfield Avenue, Ronkswood, about 9.45pm on Friday, September 19.

“Parkinson punched him hard with a clenched fist on the left-hand side cheek which caused him to fall backwards and fall to the floor,” she said.

“Parkinson rode off on a pink mountain bike with a can of Carling.”

In mitigation, Barry Newton said his client knew he was in the wrong.

“He shouldn’t have thumped the boy and he should have come to court,” he said.

Mr Newton said Parkinson had been experiencing a number of personal problems around the time the assault was committed.

“He was drinking too much and having family fall outs,” he said.

“He has also discovered his girlfriend has become pregnant.

“There’s also pressure in the home because he owes a lot in fines.”

District judge Bruce Morgan sentenced Parkinson to a total five months in custody for the assault and Bail Act offence and added another 69 days for not complying with his order.