A TEENAGER who assaulted a man who had 'tormented' his family for years has been made subject to a referral order.

Blackburn magistrates heard the 26-year-old victim suffered a fractured nose, jaw and eye socket during the violent assault which was described as totally out of character for the 17-year-old assailant.

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The court was told it happened when the victim turned up at the teenager's family home drunk and with three other men, shortly after he had sent a vile sexual message referring to the boy's mother.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

He was made subject to a referral order for 12 months and ordered to pay £150 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

District Judge James Clarke said he was not making any order for compensation.

"The victim went to your house, after midnight with three other men and they were drunk," said the Judge. "He had already made threats of violence towards one of your friends.

"You father intervened and he was struck and you were protecting him and your family.

"The injuries you inflicted were serious but I am satisfied this behaviour was out of character."

Richard Prew, defending, said the other man had been terrorising his client's family for at least two years.

"There is no doubt he brought violence to the door that night by his presence in drink and the disgusting language he had used about my client's mother," said Mr Prew.