A MAN assaulted an entire family in their home after believing they had been disrespectful about his late father.

Mark Warren attacked Emma Whitely and her parents Paul and Gillian at their flat in Wimborne Road, Poole on January 26 this year.

He lived next-door to Miss Whitely, who rented the property from her parents.

All three were in the flat when Warren, 39, began banging at the door and shouting.

Nicola Reece, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was shouting about Mr Whitely disrespecting the death of his father.

“Mrs Whitely went out and tried to placate him. He was drunk and angry, and shouted that he wanted to punch Mr Whitely.”

After forcing his way into the property, Warren pushed Mrs Whitely to the ground before shoving her daughter with both hands into the sink unit.

He then chased Mr Whitely around the sofa, lashing out at him and causing him to fall over.

Ms Reece said: “Miss Whitely pushed Warren to try and get him out of the way.

“She screamed at him to get away from her father.”

But moments after the defendant left the flat, he returned again and began hitting the front door with a litter tray found outside.

A statement from Miss Whitely was read aloud to the court.

She said: “The attack has terrified me.

“I feel very vulnerable what with him living next door. I’m too scared to be by myself.”

Warren pleaded guilty to three counts of assault by beating and one count of criminal damage at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday February 25.

A pre-sentenced report will be prepared before his next appearance in court on March 19.

An indeterminate restraining order to protect the Whitely family was imposed.