An unemployed man from Hartcliffe smashed a window in his mother's flat after she hit him over the head with a cricket bat during an argument.

Bristol Magistrates' Court heard that Paul Watkins destroyed the door window of the flat in Redwood House, off Bishport Avenue, Hartcliffe, on September 4 following an argument about his mother's new boyfriend.

Watkins, 22, of Herridge Road, pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

Bristol magistrates ordered him to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work.

Kelly Marshall, prosecuting, said: "Mr Watkins' mother said that he only came round to her flat to ask for cigarettes and money."

Ms Marshall said that his mother had returned to her flat very angry and an argument broke out about her new boyfriend.

"She picked up a cricket bat and hit him over the head with it. Then he smashed the window. He was left with bumps to his head and cuts to his hand."

Watkins, whose girlfriend is expecting their first baby next month, went to hospital where he needed several stitches on his hand.

Magistrate Richard Barry told Watkins: "You can regard yourself as fortunate because a financial penalty at this stage would have added to your problems with a baby on the way.

"We do not wish to set you up to fail. We are giving a chance here, but nonetheless you must do this unpaid work."