Teen beats stepfather
A TEENAGER who battered his stepfather said he felt his mother had chosen her relationship over him, a court heard.
The victim suffered extensive bruising in the assault at the home he shares with Daniel Brook’s mother in Crosland Moor.
The 18-year-old admitted punching him and dragging him about.
Kirklees Magistrates’ Court was told that Brook had always had a poor relationship with his stepfa- ther.
Brook pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.
The Huddersfield court was told that the attack happened at the victim’s home in Manchester Road on December 23.
During a row Brook “lost self-control and used more force than was reasonable in the circumstances”, his solicitor Ian Whiteley said.
He told Deputy District Judge Edward Barr that the teenager dragged the complainant about, punched him and kicked out.
He suffered extensive bruising and grazing but did not require hospital treatment.
During the argument Brook also caused damage to a table, door, remote control and a vacuum cleaner.
He claimed that his stepfather punched him first but the victim said that this did not happen.
Mr Whiteley said: “The defendant is 18 and when he was 14 his mum formed a relationship with the victim.
“The defendant says that the complainant has a drink problem and in his eyes mum has put that relationship before her son.
“That’s built up over a number of years and culminated in his particular offence.
“The defendant is now homeless. At the time of the offence he was taking Xanax - not a prescribed drug - to deal with his anxiety.”
Brook pleaded guilty to the ABH matter on the day of his trial.
He admitted to an additional offence when police arrested him on February 9 and found a knuckle duster in his possession.
Judge Barr ordered a full proba- tion report ahead of Brook’s sentencing on March 29.
He said: “What troubles me is he has mental health difficulties to the extent he’s been taking what should be a prescribed product.”
He bailed Brook with conditions that he does not contact the victim or go within 100 metres of his address.