A MAN was struck in the face as he went about his shopping in a convenience store, a court heard.

Brian Melia, of Walden Crescent in Chirk, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday.

The 46-year-old admitted that on May 16, he assaulted a man named Wayne Pullen by beating him.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that on February 3, the victim had entered the Co-op in Chirk.

He'd been doing some shopping when Melia entered the store.

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The two knew each other, Mr Espie said, and soon engaged in an 'argument.'

Melia initially left the store, but then returned and struck Mr Pullen to the face.

Euros Jones, defending, said the incident had arisen following almost two decades of issues between the victim and the defendant's family.

He said: "There was no injury caused whatsoever.

"The defendant is a gardener and runs his own company."

Mr Jones said his client had accepted he'd inflicted a "swipe across the head" to his victim.

Melia had also accepted he shouldn't have acted in the way he did, the court heard.

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The Magistrates took into account the "level of provocation" which led to the offence, as well as the "length of time this has been going on."

As such, Melia received a 12 month conditional discharge and must pay £85 costs, as well as a £26 victim surcharge.

The court did not impose compensation as it was felt that to do so could "exacerbate matters."