A MAN who struck his nine-year-old daughter as a punishment has been told that being treated the same way when he was younger was no excuse.

The Ayrshire dad appeared for sentencing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to three charges relating to his behaviour towards his children - including two counts of assault.

The man, who we have chosen not to name to protect the identity of his children, admitted assaulting his daughter, then aged nine, on one occasion between April 1 and August 12 last year by striking her on the body and head.

A further charged described how the man also assaulted the same child on August 12 by repeatedly striking her on the head and body to her injury.

A final charge described how, on the same day, he shouted, swore and threatened his daughter with violence.

This final incident took place in the presence of another child, with court documents adding that he also seized mobile phones from both children.

Defence solicitor Graeme Cunningham said: "He was treated that way by his parents, but that is a thing of the past and there is a reason for that.

“There are issues to be addressed as far as anger management is concerned.”

Mr Cunningham added that his client showed "shame and remorse" for his actions, and said the 39-year-old had been allowed contact with his children since the outbursts and that there had been no further incidents of violence.

Sheriff Murdoch Mactaggart told the accused: “You cannot physically strike a child.

"Whatever was the norm when you were a child does not justify your conduct in this instance.

"I hope you have learned.”

The man was put on a community payback order with 12 months of social work supervision. 

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work by late August this year.