Three weeks ago the ethics of spanking became a national issue again after a Melbourne school reported a mother to police for disciplining her nine-year-old daughter with a wooden spoon.

In Warrnambool yesterday, Bruce Anderson Jennings, 65, of Henshaws Road, Yambuk, faced charges of assault with a weapon and recklessly causing injury.

He admitted to his actions, opted to go through a court diversion program and was ordered to pay $100 to the court fund.

The charges were not proven and discharged and there was no finding of guilt.

In a police summary of evidence it was revealed that Mr Jennings and his wife had the full-time care and responsibility for a number of their grandchildren.

On April 22 the girl returned home from school in a bad mood and was abusive to her grandmother.

The girl was asked to empty a dishwasher and refused.

The police said the grandmother was at her wits' end and although she usually disciplined the children she asked Mr Jennings to deal with the child.

Mr Jennings went to the girl's room and asked her to empty the dishwasher.

The girl refused, yelled at her grandfather and said she hated him.

The grandfather removed his belt and threatened to hit the victim. The girl said if she was hit then she would call police.

She again refused to do what she was asked and again told her grandfather she hated him.

Mr Jennings hit the girl once to the arm and three times on the right thigh, which left a bruise.

On April 24 the Department of Human Services advised police of the incident, police attended the family home and spoke to the victim.

During a police interview Mr Jennings made full admissions to his actions and said he no longer knew what to do about the girl's behaviour.

He told police that her behaviour had deteriorated in the months leading up to the incident and she was impossible to deal with.

Mr Jennings told police he was sorry he had used physical discipline.

The couple no longer care for the granddaughter.

It is understood Mr Jennings received legal advice that he could fight the charges through the defence of lawful chastisement, but opted to go through the diversion program.