A DUDLEY man who was wearing a knuckleduster when he punched his stepfather in the face during a row over money has avoided jail.

Judge Robin Onions said it was clear Danny Baugh had reacted badly to what was an "unhappy situation" between him and his stepfather.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court, the judge told 30-year-old Baugh: "You reacted by getting the knuckleduster, going to his home and hitting him with it.”

Baugh, said the judge, did have health difficulties adding: "This a problem that will have to be solved in the family by those who love you."

Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said Baugh had barged his way into the family home and after "wrestling" with his stepfather he struck him leaving him with a cut to his cheek.

After Baugh, a man of previous good character, was arrested by police the bloodstained knuckleduster was recovered by officers.

Baugh, of Kettley Hill Road, Russells Hall, admitted possessing an offensive weapon and assault by beating and he was given a six month jail term suspended for two years.

He was further placed on supervision for two years after the judge was told he had already spent a month in custody while he was being held on remand.

Ekwall Tiwana, for Baugh, said there had been problems in the family because they felt his client had a partner who did not give him the right support.