Man punches trick-or-treat boy, 8 - Times Online
Man punches trick-or-treat boy, 8
Simon de Bruxelles
A man who punched a boy who knocked on his door dressed as a ghoul for Hallowe’en has been told by magistrates that they are considering sending him to jail.
Christopher Eslick, 61, lost his temper after he was disturbed for the third time, despite having a police poster in his window asking to be left alone. The next person to knock on his door was the eight-year-old, dressed in a cape and a ghoulish white mask. The boy, who was accompanied by his mother and a neighbour, suffered a cut lip. The incident was witnessed by a police community support officer who was on duty in Morice Town, a district of Plymouth, to ensure that trick-or-treaters did not cause trouble. The child was given first aid in the back of a police car before being taken home in a state of shock. At Plymouth Magistrates’ Court Eslick admitted common assault and the case was adjourned for probation reports. Eslick, who represented himself, said: “I feel there was an element of provocation but it is no excuse and I am distressed that I let my temper slip in this way.”
