A MOTHER wrote to a court, agreeing that her son deserved prison for an assault which left his victim with two skull fractures.

But Oscar Connolly, 19, escaped a jail term for provoking the violent outburst in Accrington town centre after a disagreement outside a takeaway, a court heard.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Ben Clifton later insisted he was having 'some banter' with a young man in the Church Street shop when the pair shook hands and were about to go their separate ways.

But then Connolly stepped in, accusing him of 'starting on his mate', with Mr Clifton adamant they had 'sorted it out', Burnley Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Stephen Parker said Connolly then went to shake Mr Clifton's hand but pulled him in closer and headbutted him without warning.

The victim hit his head on the shop window before falling to the ground, where Connolly repeatedly punched him.

CT scans showed two small fractures to the victim's right temple.

He told police the incident had caused him nightmares and had affected his grades at college, which later affected his university status.

Connolly, of Willows Lane, Accrington, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with 12 months probation supervision and 150 hours community service.

Adrian Williams, defending, said Connolly's mother had written to the court and said the family would not let him forget what he had done.

But the defendant had referred himself to rehab agency Inspire, for his binge-drinking problems, and had secured a place at Accrington and Rossendale College.

Passing sentence, Judge Andrew Woolman said: "This was a disgraceful incident and it had unfortunate consquences for the victim.

"I hope that you now realise what serious damage can be done during a not very serious fight."