A ‘HEARTLESS’ lout who launched a vicious attack on a schoolboy in a Rawtenstall street, knocked his tooth out and left him spitting blood and cut, a court heard.

Burnley magistrates were told how Jordan Pemberton, 18, rained blows on the 15-year-old, repeatedly banging his head on a hairdresser's shop window in front of horrified onlookers during the sustained beating.

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He was, said a witness, unfazed as people shouted to him to stop.

Pemberton, who claimed his victim had been posting comments on social media about his (the defendant's) mother, was arrested. The boy cannot be named for legal reasons. The hearing was told how when the defendant went to see a probation officer for his pre-sentence report, he seemed unconcerned about what he had done and felt having to go to court over it was an inconvenience.

Pemberton's solicitor Keith Rennison described the comments as ‘immature bravado’ and added: "I think there's something going on under the surface that we don't know about."

The defendant, who lives in supported accommodation at Queen Street, Rawtenstall, admitted assault by beating on June 25 and failing to surrender to bail on September 12. He could have been facing immediate custody, but was given eight weeks in a young offenders' institution, suspended for a year, with supervision. He must pay £100 compensation.

Mr Rennison said the defendant came from a troubled background.

Mr Rennison continued: "He's clearly a young man who has a lot of growing up to do.”