A Dacre Banks man has admitted assaulting a person on a bus in Knaresborough.

Ethan Wells-Smith, 32, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court today (March 19) when he pleaded guilty to one offence of assault by beating.

Prosecutor Alison Whiteley told the court Wells-Smith and the named victim were travelling together on a bus on August 14 last year.

A notification appeared on the victim’s phone at the time, which upset Wells-Smith.

The defendant took the victim’s phone, the court heard, and when she tried to retrieve it Wells-Smith “hit her in the face”.

The assault, which court documents say happened at Knaresborough bus station, was captured on CCTV.

Andrew Tinning, defending, told the court the assault “was a slap - that’s not disputed”.

He said Wells-Smith, who gave the court an address of Church View, “catches the victim on the chin” but no injury was caused.

No further mitigation was provided and the case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Wells-Smith was released on unconditional bail and will return to Harrogate Magistrates Court for sentence on May 14.