A scaffolder threatened to shove a ticket up a parking attendant's a**e, a court heard.

Andrew Berwick was furious when the attendant, Jacob McHale, started writing out the ticket after he parked his green BMW on double-yellow lines in Brighton.

He pushed Mr McHale into a hedge and then threw the attendant's ticket computer. The machine hit Mr McHale on the leg.

Mr McHale, employed by NCP on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council, was not seriously hurt.

Berwick, 31, of Stonecross Road, Moulsecoomb, admitted a charge of assault when he appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court. But he claimed he was provoked by Mr McHale after he warned him not to touch his car.

The case has been adjourned until January 7 when magistrates will hear from witnesses and decide whether there was any provocation before passing sentence.

David Packer, prosecuting, said Berwick was abusive and aggressive when the attendant started writing out the ticket in Buckingham Place one afternoon in November.

Berwick was working on scaffolding at a nearby house and called out that he would move his car.

When he reached the ground he told Mr McHale: "If you put a ticket on that car I will shove it up your a**e."

Mr Packer said: "He suddenly pushed Mr McHale in the chest causing him to stumble backwards and he dropped his computer. He was pushed again and fell through a hedge. The defendant picked up the computer and threw it and it landed on Mr McHale's leg."

Tony Waller, defending, said Berwick wanted a few minutes to change his dirty, wet clothes before moving his car, which was his pride and joy.

When Mr McHale lent on his car, he asked him to take his hands off. Berwick said Mr McHale then slammed his hands down on the vehicle and said: "It doesn't look like you've done anything," which was like saying he had not carried out his threat.

Mr Waller said Berwick pushed him. He picked up the computer and threw it over the hedge and did not aim at Mr McHale.

Berwick was remanded on bail.