A DAD who knocked out a 15-year-old boy and then stamped on him at a Poole skate park will spend Christmas behind bars.

Father-of-three Martyn Dashwood, 32, of Oak Drive, Poole, was handed the sentence at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on Friday for the attack on Harry Boucher, now 16.

The court was told that, on September 8, 2012, Harry was with friends at the Baiter Park facility when they got into an argument with another group.

Magistrates heard that Dashwood arrived at the park and became involved, shouting at Harry and pretending to punch him.

He then threw a “haymaker-style” punch that left Harry unconscious, before attacking him further, stamping on him.

Harry, who can be named after magistrates varied an order restricting his identification, was taken to Poole Hospital.

The court was told that, as he walked off, Dashwood shouted: “I’m Martyn Dashwood, I’m in the Mafia, you shouldn’t mess with me.”

In his statement to police, Harry said Dashwood was “a thug and a bully” and he suffered problems with sleeping afterwards.

Dad John said the assault “disgusts” him and said his son became less trusting of adults and a quieter person.

In mitigation, James Moore said Dashwood, who has a string of previous convictions, suffered mental health issues, had a history of depression and had been diagnosed with ADHD.

He said Dashwood accepted that he did not deal with the situation properly and apologised.

Mr Moore said the incident had been a “wake-up call” and he had not offended since.

Jailing Dashwood for 12 weeks, of which he will serve half, magistrates said they gave him credit for a guilty plea, but said that the fact that the attack took place in front of children was an aggravating feature.

Dashwood shouted at the magistrates as sentence was passed and at Harry as he was taken down.

Attack was 'sustained'

SPEAKING to the Daily Echo after the sentence was passed, Harry, pictured, said: “I’ve been pretty upset about it, but now I’m getting fed up with it and want to get on with my life.

“I’m relieved.

I’ve got over it not that long ago, but at first it did affect me.”

His father John added: “He punched him, knocked him down and then stamped on his face and shoulder.

“He wanted to inflict as much pain as he could.

“Other parents need to know, that’s why I think this is so important. It was a sustained assault on a minor.”