A 19-year-old man who hit a father over the head with a metal bar and threatened to kill his daughter was given two years' probation.

Thomas Quinn, of Dirac Place, Didcot, was convicted after a trial of assaulting the girl's father. He pleaded guilty to making threats to kill her.

Wantage magistrates sentenced him to two years' probation. He was ordered to pay 100 compensation to the girl's father and 100 in costs.

Jenny Jonckheer, prosecuting, said the incident happened on March 11 after the 14-year-old girl, who cannot be named, alleged the defendant had behaved improperly towards her. She said the defendant took exception and barged into the victim's home at 1.30am, swearing at the girl's father and threatened to kill the girl.

She said Quinn hit the man on the head with a steel tube, leaving him with a bump on the left side of his head. The vicitim had to visit his doctor.

Quinn told the court: "I would like to say how sorry I am. I have learned my lesson and I would never do it again."