A dad struck his young children on the head and body in incidents described as “an inappropriate form of discipline”.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court recently after pleading guilty to two charges.

He admitted to assaulting his daughter, aged 11, by repeatedly striking her on the head with his hand and assaulting his son, aged six, by striking him on the body with his hand.

The charges went on to state that the attacks on the young girl took place between November 7, 2020, and August 2, 2023, both dates inclusive and the young boy was assaulted on November 19, 2023.

The man’s lawyer told the court that his client “deeply regretted” his actions.

The defence solicitor said: “It was a highly inappropriate way to discipline children. As a result of these proceedings, he has not been able to see the children for a period of six months now.

“This is having an effect on him. Due to his immigration status, he can’t work at present. He is volunteering with a number of organisations to help other people and give some structure to his life.

“He accepts what he has done is wrong. It is not likely he will return to the family home, he accepts it is the consequences of his own actions.”

The procurator fiscal stated that the children’s mother had asked for a non-harassment order to be in place for herself and the children “for as long as possible for their safety”.

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However, Sheriff Vincent Lunny explained that as the mother was not a complainer, a non-harassment order could only be granted for the children.

Addressing the man, Sheriff Lunny added: “It was accepted by the Crown that this was an inappropriate form of discipline.

“This was assaults on your two children. You know now that it's not acceptable. You have no criminal record. I am, however, concerned about charge one’s repeated nature of strikes to the head.

“I am told you do not have access to your children at this stage. I want to make sure that your children are protected.”

Sheriff Lunny placed the man on a community payback order with 108 hours of unpaid work.

Non-harassment orders were also granted for both children for a period of nine months.