A teenager has pleaded guilty to assaulting a social worker who was trying to help him. 

The defendant, who is under the care of social services and is considered a 'looked after' youth, admitted to attacking a social worker during a hearing at Swindon Magistrates' Court on July 30. 

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was talking to his social worker in April this year when he asked for money. 

The social worker told him to come back tomorrow and in response, the defendant slapped him in the face. 

The victim was left with pain and discomfort but no marks, but did provide a statement which was read out in court.

They said: "The incident left me feeling shocked and surprised.

"I have been working with young people for a very long time and I have never been assaulted, this is the first time.

"I wasn’t expecting it, don’t expect to be assaulted by anyone."

Mr Glendenning, representing the defendant, said that he was frustrated because the social worker was "not listening to and laughing at him".

The defendant was given a six-month conditional discharge by the magistrate, who said: "Slapping people who are trying to help you is really serious and frightening, particularly frightening when that person’s main job is to help you

“We do accept you are in a difficult situation and haven’t got any money but there are people to help you, and what you cannot do is attack them.

She added: "You have to stay out of trouble for six months, if you commit any more offences in the next six months you may have to do some more work with the Youth Justice Service.

“Take the help that they can give you, people there can try and help you make the right choices.

“Everybody knows you are in a difficult situation, but you have to work out now how to make the right choices.

“Next year you’re going to be an adult, 18, and it all gets much more serious.”

The defendant had previously been given a nine-month referral order for offences that were seen in court separately. 

He had pleaded guilty to these charges, which included assault of an emergency worker, assault by beating and criminal damage caused to items belonging to youth support organisation Connections 2 Independence.