A father who used a broom to beat the mother of his child because he alleges that she wasn't giving their two-year-old child any porridge was yesterday forced to begin making amends starting at $10,000.

Charged with assault occasioning bodily harm is 53-year-old Melford Johnson.

When the matter was called up in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court, the accused pleaded guilty and attempted to justify his actions.

Johnson said, "Your Honour. I hit her once after she hit me with the bicycle."

The much younger complainant said, "That's a lie, Your Honour. Him come and argue wid me say mi nah give the baby nuh porridge, and a that cause it. Him slap mi ina mi ribs, then him slap mi cross mi face with the bottom of the broom."

The court heard that the incident took place in front of the infant.

Senior Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey said, "Tell mi why you shouldn't go to jail for beating her with the broom in front of the baby?"

"Your Honour, a only one time mi lick her, and a she first lick mi wid the baby bicycle", said Johnson.

Pusey then asked the complainant how much she spent at the doctor.

The complainant said, "Your Honour, I did some checks but couldn't afford the rest. The doctors say I need an X-ray on my jawbone and on my ribs."

"So that sounds like about $10,000 to begin with, tek it out," Pusey ordered.

The complainant was then told to visit a doctor and return to court on June 30 with the medical certificate.

A fingerprint order was also made against Johnson.