A DISABLED man was punched in the face as he sat on his mobility scooter, an Ipswich court heard.Thomas Robinson suffered a cut above his eye and broken glasses after the attack in Humber Doucy Lane, Rushmere.

A DISABLED man was punched in the face as he sat on his mobility scooter, an Ipswich court heard.

Thomas Robinson suffered a cut above his eye and broken glasses after the attack in Humber Doucy Lane, Rushmere.

Steven Martin pleaded guilty at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court to common assault and causing criminal damage.

Andrea Reynolds, prosecuting, said Martin, 28, believed Mr Robinson had taken his keys and would not give them back.

A witness saw Martin try to snatch Mr Robinson's keys from the ignition of his mobility scooter in retaliation.

Ms Reynolds said: “He then punched him in the face knocking his glasses off.”

The court heard that Mr Robinson wanted £100 compensation for his damaged sunglasses.

Ms Reynolds added: “The victim is a disabled gentleman, he was on his mobility scooter and the defendant was well aware of his medical condition because there is some history between their families.”

She said Martin, of Cavendish Lodge, Turret Lane had not pleaded guilty until the day of his trial when the victim and witnesses had arrived at court.

Nigel Innes mitigating, said Martin suffered with bi-polar disorder and had to take various anti-depressants. He said Martin knew it was unreasonable to punch Mr Robinson despite the provocation and had attempted to take his own life after his arrest.

Mr Innes said Martin was referred to St Clements Hospital and that was why his pleas of guilty were entered at such a late stage.

He said: “This was a regretful one-off incident.”

Magistrates told unemployed Martin to do 160 hours unpaid work for the community and placed him on probation supervision for 12 months.

He was ordered to pay Mr Robinson £100 compensation.