A father from the West Midlands area will appear for sentencing in court next month after admitting assaulting his seven-year-old on a visit to Caldey Island near Tenby.

The 45-year-old defendant, who cannot be named due to press restrictions, pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Dennis Davies told magistrates that a number of witnesses gave statements to the police on what they had seen occurr on the island at around 11.30 am on Thursday, September 1.

“One male witness said he saw the defendant stood outside the chocolate factory on the island being aggressive towards what they believed to be the man’s son.

“The man was said to be shouting at the boy before lifting him up with an outstretched arm by the throat, before putting him down, slapping him on the back of the head and frogmarching him away.

“The witness said they were preparing to intervene, and even shouted ‘that’s child abuse’ towards the defendant,” continued Mr. Davies.

Magistrates heard how the defendant said in a police interview that his son was being naughty and wouldn’t listen, and almost fell down the steps by the chocolate factory because he was misbehaving.

“The defendant told the police that he didn’t lift up his son by the throat and in no way did he intend to hurt him, but accepted that he had been unreasonable.

“He explained that his son had ADHD and was on the autistic spectrum,” continued Mr. Davies.

Defence solicitor Mike Kelleher said that since the incident a number of doctors and social services had outlined in their diagnosis specific medical issues the boy had.

“There is now something in place to help the parents. It’s strange that an incident seemingly so nasty, can bring out some good,” said Mr. Kelleher.

“He doesn’t like crowds and queuing, and doesn’t see danger as others do.

“At the time the father said his son was misbehaving on Caldey Island and running up and down the steps, and he was concerned that he would hurt himself or others, so he picked him up from behind to make eye contact with him, and then smacked him on the back of the ear and the bottom when he put him down.

“When interviewed by police, the boy said that his ‘daddy’ hadn’t put his hands around his throat and that he was really good to him.

“The defendant is deeply upset at what has occurred and didn’t want to hurt his son, and thankfully as we know from what his son told the police, he was not hurt,” continued Mr. Kelleher.

Magistrates asked for a pre-sentence report from the probation service to be prepared and the case was adjourned until December 7, with the defendant released on unconditional bail and told to return to the court in Haverfordwest on this date.