An angry dad attacked his father and stepmother after bombarding them with calls and unwanted messages because he thought they were trying to stop him from seeing his son.

Christopher De-Courtney stormed into his parents' Gillingham home after letting himself in and started shouting and abusing them.

The 42-year-old appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on November 21 to be sentenced having admitted two counts of assault by beating.

Lucy Fish, prosecuting, said: “He hounded his mum and dad with calls and messages and they are elderly and had to block him from Facebook and the like, but he continued to call from withheld numbers and those calls were ignored.

"He then stormed into their house and shoved his dad into the stairs.

"Then Jackie, his stepmum, tried to get in between them and he shoved her and then Derek over the sofa.

"Jackie told him to stop and get out of their home and that she was calling the police.

“All this happened when his dad has a serious heart condition…”

“He then shouted at her that she was a f****** c***. All this happened when his dad has a serious heart condition.

"Both victims suffered bruising to their face.”

Mr and Mrs De-Courtney, in victim impact statements, said they did not want any contact with their son and they had not seen him since the incident on April 24.

They said they had changed the locks and now look out of the window before answering the door as they were frightened their son would return.

The prosecutor added: “It’s had an impact on their lives and they have the windows and doors locked all the time.

"When they receive calls from withheld numbers and they don’t feel safe."

Gary Johnson, defending, told the court his client, of Bismuth Drive, Sittingbourne, had been in the Army and instructed other troops abroad.

He added: “He entered a guilty plea early and it was a reckless assault, not intentional. It was a scuffle at the home.

“He went there as he wanted to resolve this issue about having access to his child."

Mr Johnson did not explain why De-Courtney accused his parents of trying to stop him from seeing his son.

“He was due to be in Africa now, but couldn’t go because of this case…”

He added: “He works in Africa training troops and he has to report (after this case) to his commanding officer.

“He earns £38,000 a year and has been serving his country. He was due to be in Africa now, but couldn’t go because of this case.”

Magistrates placed De-Courtney on an 18-month community order which will include 120 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation sessions.

He will also get help with his behaviour by attending mental health sessions.

De-Courtney was ordered to stay away from his parents and their home for three years and must pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs.