Totally agree with what you've written in the last paragraph, and that's where it all begins at a young age, the young players see it and think it's acceptable and it's not and they carry on through the years thinking it's ok.
I'm struggling to see how you think he's 'given in' no official should have to put up with that, and after being assaulted i wouldn't expect any official to carry on.
And no i've never had the need to go to a hearing, but reading about incidents it seems the local FA's are not doing enough to clamp down on behaviour like this, that player should get a multi year ban at least for assaulting the ref, are Sine Die bans still used?
I umpire in the local cricket leagues and the behaviour from players and spectators is steadily getting worse, i had an incident last season with a team and some of their spectators/family members i was standing by myself as the colleague i was supposed to be standing with had to pull out last minute. If it wasn't for the actions of the other team's captain i'm sure i would have got assaulted. Not a nice day out and i missed my tea because of it!!