A dad who hit two youths with a plank of wood after one of them looked at him in an “unacceptable way” is today awaiting his fate.

IPSWICH: A dad who hit two youths with a plank of wood after one of them looked at him in an “unacceptable way” is today awaiting his fate.

Shane Saggers, 39, pleaded guilty to assaulting Liam Florey and Katie Herdley when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court. He also admitted possessing an offensive weapon.

The court heard that Saggers got into a dispute with a group of youths outside the block of flats where he lives in Dandalan Close.

Gareth Davies, prosecuting, said: “He saw the group and took umbrage with them being there.

“He felt that Liam Florey was looking at him in an unacceptable way.

“He came downstairs and tried to get at the group but they shoved him back inside.”

Saggers then armed himself with a 20-inch block of wood and went back outside.

He hit Mr Florey in the face and Miss Herdley in the head, causing her to fall over.

Both suffered minor injuries but Miss Herdley was very shaken by what had happened.

Mr Davies said that one of the youths in the group owed money to Saggers's son and he felt the group were ridiculing him about the debt.

Shelley La Patrie, mitigating, said: “He accepts that he behaved inappropriately and went too far.

“He waved the block of wood recklessly but did not intend to hit anyone.

“But if you're going to do this then there's the possibility of a connection being made.”

Saggers will be sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on a date yet to be fixed.

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