A DUMBARTON man who attacked his elderly father at their home in the town has been placed under social workers’ supervision.

James McArthur, 54, pushed his 78-year-old dad on the body, causing to fall and strike his head to his injury, in the incident at his father’s Leven Court home on May 14.

But at a court hearing on Friday, Sheriff William Gallacher accepted an argument from McArthur’s solicitor that the supervision of social workers would benefit both McArthur and his father.

Fiscal depute Craig Wainwright told the hearing police had been called to the house – where McArthur also lived at the time – in response to reports of “shouting, banging and sounds of distress”.

The officers made their presence known but after no-one answered the door they forced entry to the property, finding McArthur and his father in the hall.

Mr Wainwright said McArthur’s father had a “fresh injury to his nose and elbow” and said police could see the accused wearing a bloodstained T-shirt.

Tom Brown, defending, said McArthur, currently living in Golfhill Drive, Bonhill, who was his father’s carer, had no record of violent offending.

Mr Brown said: “It’s quite clear drink has played its part but he makes no excuses for his behaviour.

“There has been some frustration in the background and, he having been drinking, that frustration got the better of him.”

Sheriff Gallacher told McArthur: “Even if your father isn’t doing what you require or expect of him, that is what people do, and you’re required to tolerate that.”

McArthur was placed under the supervision of social workers until November 2018.