The 29-year-old man, who cannot be identified in order to protect the children’s identities, punished the child to stop her misbehaving while getting ready for school on August 10.

The tactic of smacking his six and seven-year-old girls with his hand had not worked.

The man then went to the bedroom and returned with his black leather belt.

He pleaded guilty in the Wodonga Magistartes’ Court on Tuesday to recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault.

Magistrate John Murphy sentenced the man to a 12-month community corrections order.

It included conditions to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and programs to counter drug and alcohol use and offending behaviour.

Magistrate John Murphy said the bruising left on the child’s legs was unacceptable.

“He’s gone over the top with the belt,” he said.

“He was told to stop.”

Solcitor Mario Vaccaro said the man had started domestic violence counselling and would move to Swan Hill with his parents.

“He knows he’s got a lot of work to do, but he’s doing it.”

Mr Murphy said he was also concerned with the father’s heavy cannabis use.

“We’re living in a different world now with domestic violence,” he said.

“You went right over the top.

“”They’re only kids, they’re only little kids.

“What effect is this going to have on them?”