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Ice Cream Vendor Punches Complaining Boy (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/ICE_CREAM_BEATING?SITE=1010WINS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT)

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Throwing a punch at a boy complaining about the cost of his cold treat has landed an ice cream vendor in hot water.

Nazzareno Didiano, 44, was placed on probation and ordered to attend anger management classes after a trial Tuesday over the May 2004 incident.

The boy, now 14, told the judge that Didiano attacked him as he sat on his bike just blocks from an initial confrontation. The boy testified that Didiano pulled him off the bike, punched him in the face and slammed him into a wall.

Didiano acknowledged confronting the boy, but denied punching him. He said the boy had used various obscenities.

"He instigated the whole thing," Didiano said. "I wanted to tell him I didn't appreciate being talked to like that."

Didiano, who was found guilty of simple assault, lost his job with Paul's Ice Cream Co.

Ice Cream Vendor Guilty Of Punching Teen (http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/4475700/detail.html)

POSTED: 10:17 am EDT May 11, 2005

PITTSBURGH -- A Pittsburgh area ice cream man will spend 18 months on probation for losing his good humor with a mouthy teenage customer.

Nazzareno Didiano, 40, of Pittsburgh, was found guilty of simple assault Tuesday for punching the boy, who is now 14, last May.

Didiano denied punching the boy at his trial Tuesday, but a judge didn't believe him.

Didiano said the boy used profanity when he complained about the prices he charged on his ice cream truck, so Didiano told the boy he was fat and didn't need ice cream anyway. That's when the boy called Didiano a bald ripoff -- although the boy spiced up the insult with an expletive.

The boy's mother said she's upset because her son is now self-conscious about his weight.

Didiano said he's upset because he lost his job with Paul's Ice Cream Company.

Didiano must also attend anger management classes.

Didiano said the boy used profanity when he complained about the prices he charged on his ice cream truck, so Didiano told the boy he was fat and didn't need ice cream anyway. That's when the boy called Didiano a bald ripoff -- although the boy spiced up the insult with an expletive.

The boy's mother said she's upset because her son is now self-conscious about his weight.

Eh, snotty little 14 years olds should get a smack when they are stupid enough to sass a grown up.

News flash, if the guy can kick your ass don't give him lip.