A BULLIED man “snapped” and attacked a fellow resident at a hostel.

Terence Heightley was staying at the property in Grand Parade, Brighton when he lost his temper with John Harris.

The 45-year-old claimed that Mr Harris had made threats to stab him as he slept.

He pummelled Mr Harris with several blows about the head and pinned him against a wall.

Brighton Magistrates’ Court heard how managers at the hostel asked Mr Harris to leave in the wake of the incident.

Heightley admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and was ordered to attend anger management sessions.

Martina Sherlock, prosecuting, said the attack happened on October 27 last year.

She said: “Police were called by staff after advice that there had been a fight between two residents.

“Mr Harris had gone into another residents’ room asking for tobacco, and spoke about an argument the resident had with Terence Heightley the day before.

“Heightley confronted Mr Harris and started to hit him to the head. He hit him ten to 15 times and there was no retaliation.

“Mr Harris was left with injuries including a black eye.

“CCTV does show Terence Heightley getting Mr Harris against a wall where he continued to strike him.

“When asked by police, Terence Heightley said he did it because John Harris had been bullying him and made threats to injure him by stabbing him in the night.

He claims he feared for his safety. He continued to strike the victim until he had had enough.”

Ms Sherlock revealed Heightley, of Grand Parade, Brighton, has 24 previous convictions for 52 offences and was jailed in 2013 for six years for assaults.

Stephen Paley, defending, said managers at the hostel had planned to get Heightley referred for anger management sessions but have struggled during the pandemic.

He said his client was bullied for two weeks before the incident by Mr Harris but admitted that his response was unacceptable.

Mr Paley said: “This was an isolated incident where Mr Heightley reacted. He is not proud of his actions and recognises he has done wrong.”

He added that the two men met in the street since the incident , sat on a bench and agreed to stay on friendly terms from now on.

Heightley was ordered to complete the Resolve anger management programme, and to do 15 rehabilitation days with the probation service.

He must also pay an £80 fine, £95 surcharge and £85 costs which will be taken from his benefits.