The victim of a beachside assault had been left with tinnitus after a man hit out at him, blaming him for parking too close to his car and blocking his wife's view.

At Truro Magistrates' Court Robert Pearson, 50, of Droskyn Way, Perranporth, pleaded guilty to assaulting Patrick Buxton at Porthoustock, Helston, on July 5.

Alison May said Pearson's wife, who was convalescing after a recent operation, had been sitting in their vehicle when Mr Buxton's vehicle parked in such a way that it blocked her view. Pearson shouted to Mr Buxton: “Move your f****** van,” before striking him once, knocking him over, and then striking him again.

Pearson told the police he did it in panic when Mr Buxton got in his personal space, and his wife was upset. He said he suffered from bipolar disease and thought this may have contributed to his actions, for which he was truly sorry.

Ms May said Mr Buxton had a cut lip and another cut behind his ear, with bruising and swelling on his face.

Mr Buxton said in a victim impact statement that he had been in pain for 48 hours after the attack and was suffering from tinnitus as a result of the blows. He also had back pain from the fall he had.

Pearson, who had police cautions for assault in 2011 and 2013, was represented by Polly Morley who said he was extremely remorseful and acknowledged that he had over-reacted to the situation.

The case was adjourned to March 16 for a probation report.