http://www.qt.com.au/story/2012/04/18/man-struck-son-8-cricket-bat/
Man struck son, 8 with cricket bat
AN IPSWICH man has admitted to striking his eight-year-old son with a cricket bat as punishment for not cleaning his room.
The 31-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm while armed over the incident, which occurred in February.
Ipswich Magistrates Court on Wednesday heard the father had a shared custody arrangement with the mother, and was looking after the boy when the assault took place.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Jo Colston said the boy reported the incident at school, telling staff that he'd been hit with a bat because his father was angry at him for not cleaning his bedroom.
Photos were taken of a minor injury to the boy's hip.
The court also heard of how the father broke down immediately after striking his son, saying sorry for what he'd done.
Defence lawyer Vince Knox said his client was deeply remorseful.
"It's a case where he has taken discipline one step too far," Mr Knox said.
The man had attended counselling sessions since the assault.
Magistrate Virginia Sturgess rejected Mr Knox's requests for the matter to be dealt with through a fine.
"Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs anyone will do, and there's no instruction manual," Ms Sturgess said.
"You have to remember that you are the adult.
"To discipline a child by striking them with a cricket bat is way over the top."
The man was placed on a 12-month probation order.
