A BRIERLEY Hill man left a workmate needing 10 stitches after punching him in the mouth when he was told off for driving the wrong way round his firm’s one-way system.

Jay Parkes, 20, was being trained at Tuffnells Parcels Express, on The Wallows Industrial Estate, when he was pulled up about the way he was driving in the yard.

Wolverhampton Crown Court was told that Parkes became abusive and, after being told he was being sent home, got involved in a confrontation with Craig Ashton – a man with whom he had enjoyed a good working relationship.

Parkes, of Bryce Road, Bromley, told Mr Ashton: “I’m going to knock you out,” before lashing out with his fists, causing a cut to the inside of Mr Ashton’s mouth that needed hospital treatment.

Judge Mark Tregilgas-Davey told Parkes: “He rebuked you and that was obviously like a red rag to a bull. You then became abusive.

“Then, when you were told you were being suspended, you lashed out instead of acting sensibly. You launched an unprovoked attack on the man who was helping to train you.”

The judge said Parkes had left his workmate with an “unpleasant” injury that clearly caused him some pain – all because he lost his temper.

Harpreet Sandhu, defending, said Parkes, who had been dismissed by the firm as a result of his behaviour, was full of remorse for his actions.

“These two men had enjoyed for some time a good and fruitful working relationship,” he added. “He is deeply sorry for what he did. This was an isolated example of violence.”

Parkes admitted assault, causing actual bodily harm and he was given a 12 month community order coupled with 200 hours unpaid work.