A MAN who kicked a six-year-old boy and made him ‘scream in pain’ in front of shocked onlookers has been sent on an anger management course.

Christopher Heather attacked the boy as he held onto a toy outside Weymouth train station and the 28-year-old has re-appeared at Weymouth Magistrates Court for sentencing after admitting assault by beating.

Magistrates had been shown CCTV footage of Heather kicking the boy near his waist and grabbing him by the scruff of his neck and prosecutors told how taxi drivers heard the boy “scream in pain” and “fall to his knees”.

One taxi driver saw Heather, of Antigua House, Portsmouth, shouting at the child with his face “inches away from the boy.”

Heather shouted “Look at you. You were born from spastics and your mum and dad were spastics,” the court heard.

At the sentencing hearing Lee Turner, prosecuting, showed CCTV footage again.

Stephen Wall, mitigating, said Heather had a tough upbringing and was in care from the age of eight “with very little education”.

He was last employed as a builder in 2008 and had committed no offences since 2006.

Mr Wall said: “It’s very unsavoury but it was one kick. A single blow but he went too far and it was unreasonable.

“But it was out of character.”

He added: “The skills programme would help him control his temper and anger management issues.”

Chairman of the bench David Macpherson said the offence crossed the “custody threshold” but that he had decided to follow advice from the Probation Service and sentence Heather to an 18-month community order.

He must remain under the supervision of a probation officer and attend a 22-day Thinking Skills Programme consisting of 45 hours.

Mr Macpherson said: “Your behaviour was totally unsatisfactory assaulting a child like that and I would hope it’s something you are very ashamed of.”

“We hope this will help you manage your anger in future.”