A man has been given a custodial sentence for intimidation and slapping an unrelated child in the face.
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Jon Jones, 34, of Kenna Street, will serve his 12-month custodial sentence in the community and has been ordered to complete 50 hours of community service for two common assault and two intimidation charges after appearing in Orange Local Court.
He was also given a two-year community correction order for punching a hole in a child's bedroom wall.
Jones does not live with the child or his mother.
According to police, Jones was arguing with a woman at a house in Orange from 6.30am. He became angrier when a boy, who lived at the house, got ready for school and said goodbye to his mother but did not acknowledge Jones.
The argument between Jones and the female victim then continued on and off throughout the day until the boy returned home from school and again greeted his mother and ignored Jones.
Jones followed the boy to a bedroom and accused the child of telling lies.
When the child did not reply to him Jones slapped him in the face causing pain to the boy and leaving a red mark.
Jones then punched a hole in the boy's bedroom wall and said "keep telling lies about me c*** and that will be your face".
The child's mother rang the boy's father to collect him and when the father arrived she whispered to him to call the police because she didn't feel safe.
Police attended and the mother declined to make a comment until officers found her at a different address where Jones was not present.
The boy's father took the child to the police station where officers saw the mark on his face and a statement was made.
Magistrate David Day said Jones had previous violence on his criminal record, however, solicitor Gerry Stapleton said Jones has been crime-free since since he was charged with these offences.
"He accepts full responsibility for his behaviour," Mr Stapleton said.
He said the offence was not committed under the influence of methamphetamine but Jones has ceased using the drug since the offences.
Mr Stapleton also said Jones also spent a night in custody following his arrest and it was the first time he had spent a night in jail.
Mr Day agreed there should be a custodial sentence but it could be supervised in the community.
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