Ice cream man hit boy, 12, over van spill

AN ice cream man punched a boy of 12 who pulled the lever on his dispensing machine, covering his van floor.

Alan Donaldson, 58, was working in 30C heat in a faulty vehicle when the lad asked for a free ice and to be able to pull the handle.

Donaldson replied: “Only if you want a smack.” The boy carried on so Donaldson hit him and broke a tooth.

Donaldson went to police after the incident in St Peter Port, Guernsey, and told them he did not intend to make contact, only scare off the boy.

His lawyer told the island’s magistrates court he was used to cheeky youngsters and “both he and the boy were shocked” by the punch.

He admitted assault and was given 120 hours’ community service.

Judge Graham McKerrell told Donaldson it was a one-off but said: “One cannot, in any circumstances, go round striking 12-year-old boys.”