A RECOVERING heroin addict who assaulted a child in Yatton has begged magistrates to send him to prison.

At North Somerset Courthouse in St Georges last week Terrence Mills, aged 43, pleaded guilty to assaulting a youth and using threatening words towards police officers.

Mills attacked the teen in Yatton on February 3 and when arrested by police he used derogatory language towards them.

Prosecuting, Kelly Marshall, said: “He slapped the victim across the right side of his face and was aggressive towards officers.

“He said he was angry at the time and accepts he was aggressive. He said he realises it was wrong.”

Mitigating, Charles Hart, said Mills, a recovering heroin and crack user, wanted to go to jail as he recently had a relapse and felt prison would ‘shock him’ and get him back on the right track.

Mr Hart said Mills, of Clevedon Road, Nailsea, had ‘flared up’ as a result of ‘festering issues’ he had with the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, but the death of his uncle had also affected him.

Speaking to magistrate, Nicky McClure, Mr Hart said: “His uncle acted as more of a dad to him and his death was a catalyst for his behaviour.

“Mr Mills has decided that prison truly is the best place for him. He has had a recent relapse and would struggle to a pay a fine so has asked me to ask you to please send him to prison.

“He said he needs a short, sharp shock and thinks three weeks in Horfield Prison would do the job – he will be a changed man.”

Ms McClure said that due to the seriousness of the offences and his refusal to comply with any other court order, two weeks in prison would be the best form of punishment.