A West Penn Township man is responsible for paying about $4,000 in medical bills to his boss, who he had punched in the face in April during an argument over leaving work to buy a pickup.

Christian M. Robert, 19, of New Ringgold, pleaded guilty Monday to charges of simple assault and harassment.Schuylkill County Judge Cyrus P. Dolbin sentenced Robert to 12 months in jail, and to pay his victim's medical bills.Robert was represented by public defender Christopher M. Riedlinger.He was charged by township police officer Denna V. Krammes.Robert assaulted Lee Squyres, owner of Tree Equipment Design, 1392 West Penn Pike, at about 9 a.m. April 21, according to an affidavit of probable cause.Krammes wrote that she was called to the scene of a fight at the business. She noted that she knew Robert from an incident at Tree Equipment Design about a month ago.Robert told Krammes he and Squyres argued about Robert's plan to leave work to buy the truck. He said Squyres ripped his shirt, and that he had punched him.Squyres told the officer the same thing, that they had augured after Robert told him he wanted to leave for awhile and Squyres told him he couldn't because he had work lined up for him to do.Also, Squyres told Krammes that Robert was employed with him through Tamaqua Area High School's work program. The rules state the Robert could not leave his workplace without permission.Squyres said Robert grabbed his shirt, and that he grabbed Robert's shirt to try to hold him back.Robert punched Squyres, whose nose was bleeding and who had a lump over his eye.Krammes called for medical help, and Penn Mahoning Ambulance crews checked Squyres and advised him to be seen by a doctor. Squares did, and learned he had ear injuries that caused ringing in his ear, and would need to see a specialist. He also had burst blood vessels around his eye.