A FATHER has been fined after hitting his son in the face during a family bonding trip to the Lake District.

The Manchester man, who has not been named to protect the identity of his 14-year-old son, pleaded guilty to one charge of assault.

They had been on a trip to Windermere, organised by Manchester City Council to encourage family bonding.

Lee Dacre, prosecuting, said: "This incident took place during a trip put on by the council for a number of young and vulnerable families to travel to the Lake District. Unfortunately it didn't go to plan.

"The night before, his son stayed in a different room to his dad. In the morning they spoke and it's fair to say his son was abusive towards him and started swearing.

"It appears he lost his temper and pushed his son before hitting him in the face.

The man, in his 30s, appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court in Barrow today.

Representing himself, he said: "It is still as upsetting as that first day. I had advised him not to use those words when he had in the past to women or his teachers.

"I told him it was not something he should be saying.

"I don't know how he came up with those words. When he used them to me it was very disappointing, even now.

"I wasn't trying to hurt him. If I was he would have been hurt. I still had my restraint."

The father was fined £160 and ordered to pay court costs of £200 and a victim surcharge of £30.