A protective father assaulted a man because he was worried his son was “getting in with the wrong crowd”, a court has heard.
John McNeil, 49, of Strathmerton, pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to common assault and criminal damage.
Prosecutor Senior Constable Luke Lund said McNeil went to a Shepparton house intoxicated and looking for his son, who was sometimes there, on February 14.
At the house McNeil argued with another man at the front doorway, before punching the front window, smashing it.
He then pulled the man by his ear, before punching him in the face.
Sen Constable Lund said McNeil told police at the time he was “a bit angry and upset”.
McNeil’s solicitor Anthony Coote told the court his client was concerned and upset about where his 17-year-old son had been living.
“He was concerned with his son hanging out with the wrong crowd and getting into drugs,” Mr Coote said.
“He acted as a father, in an inappropriate manner.”
Mr Coote said McNeil had spoken to agencies and police about the boy staying at the house, but did not receive any help from them.
Mr Coote also asked for no conviction to be recorded as his client volunteered at sporting clubs and community groups.
Magistrate Victoria Campbell fined McNeil $800 and ordered he pay $87.20 in court costs.
“It’s bad behaviour,” she said.
“Teenagers are nightmares. You need to rise above it.”
No convictions were recorded.