Boxer punched boy, 13, court told

Janes has denied causing actual bodily harm

A boxer who punched a 13-year-old boy in the face told police he was teaching him the sport.

Cardiff Crown Court was told that Phillip Janes, 33, of Peterstone-Super-Ely, Cardiff, hit the boy in a lane near his home, making the schoolboy's nose bleed.

Prosecutor Lucy Crowther said the defendant - who denies causing actual bodily harm - was walking with the teenager when he suddenly turned and hit the boy.

"Janes shouted at some children playing in a puddle, then looked at the boy and punched him hard to the face," she said.

"The boy was not expecting the blow which hit him to the nose. The nose immediately began to bleed and he started to cry, he was shocked and felt quite shaken. Janes took the boy to a nearby stables to wash his nose and help him clean up."

The court heard that the teenager later went to hospital where he was treated for bruising and deformation to the nose.

'Talking about boxing'

Janes was arrested, but told officers how he was a boxer and was training the schoolboy how to take a punch.

"He said the boy was talking about boxing, and Janes told him he would have to be trained before he could box," Ms Crowther went on.

"Janes told police he had boxed himself and had shown the boy how to do it. He said he moved forward and clipped him. Janes said the boy was joking about it afterwards but had a bit of a nose bleed."

The prosecution's case was that the boy was not expecting the blow and did not agree to take part in any form of boxing or horseplay.

The trial continues.