A horrified passer-by dialled 999 after witnessing a young boy being doused with freezing water from a garden hose outside a house in Faversham, Kent.
The child's 30-year-old father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, now faces prison after admitting the assault.
Magistrates in Margate, Kent, heard how a motorist phoned the police after seeing the child being chased by the man brandishing the hose.
She told the court that the man was shouting and swearing at the boy, and hit him over the head twice with the hose.
Paul Tapsell, for the prosecution said the child's father had shouted: 'You're not going to p*** in my house. You're going to stay there all day.
The court heard the youngster's punishment - which was dished out for wetting the bed - lasted at least 90 minutes before the police arrived. When officers told the boy to go into the house he said he was not allowed to move.
Magistrates warned the father he faced jail when he returns for sentencing in October. The child has been placed in care.
Have you ever been so shocked by a scene between parent and child that you've called the police?