A Weston-super-Mare carer has been given a suspended prison sentence after assaulting a man with Down’s syndrome.

Andrew Driver, aged 46, was given a 12-month suspended sentence and ordered to carry out 100 hours’ unpaid community work by magistrates at North Somerset Courthouse on Friday.

Driver, of George Street in Weston, was found guilty on September 23 of assaulting 52-year-old David Booth in Tesco car park in Clevedon.

Driver slapped Mr Booth around the face and punched him in the chest after he refused to get into a car.

Driver was ordered to pay £800 in costs and £100 compensation.

Driver worked for Onetrue Step for two and a half years as a peer support worker before being suspended from his position once the assault allegations were reported.