A MAN who beat up another man so badly he needed hospital treatment refused to reveal the insult which provoked the attack.

Simon Potter, of School Lane, Upton, admitted assault by beating when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester.

The 31-year-old beat up 53-year-old Kevin Taylor outside Today’s Store in Moat Way, Malvern, on Saturday, May 7.

Sarah Stock, prosecuting, said: “Mr Taylor said the defendant and his father, who he knew, approached him and the defendant walked up to him and said ‘You would threaten my dad, would you?’ “He was shaken and didn’t understand.”

Potter then followed Mr Taylor into the off-licence and pushed him out onto the pavement.

Mrs Stock said: “Without warning, he struck him with a clenched fist to the face.

“The punch landed on his left temple. He didn’t retaliate.

“Several other punches were thrown by the defendant to his face and head before the defendant and his father left the scene.”

In police interview, Potter said his dad had pointed out Mr Taylor to him, that his dad had pushed him and that he had pulled his dad out of the way and punched the victim “two or three times in the face”.

Mr Taylor had to be taken to A&E at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester for treatment to his bruised head where he also suffered a 1cm cut which needed to be glued shut.

Mrs Stock said: “He thought he was doing the right thing – protecting his family.

“The defendant said he was not intoxicated or under the influence of drugs and regrets his actions.

“He couldn’t bring himself to say what the victim had said about his family.

“Mr Taylor said he wasn’t aware of any reason why this assault has occurred.”

Gary Harper, defending, said Potter suffered from leukaemia and had had chemotherapy which left him blind in one eye.

He said: “He’s still not managed to explain to me what was said about his father.

“I can’t shed any light on that whatsoever.

“Something must have been said to cause him to go up to the guy and hit him as he did. He now regrets that action. He’s not minded to give the reason for that.

“Suffice to say, he thought it was something important.”

Magistrates ordered that Potter be placed on a three- month curfew order which will mean he has to stay indoors between 7pm and 7am daily.

He was also ordered to pay £75 compensation to the victim and £85 court costs.