A DISABLED man who attacked a terrified 15-year-old boy left him with a swollen lip, cut and bruised.

Burnley magistrates heard how depressed Graham Whitworth, 21, had been told to leave the victim as he was "just a kid" but had threatened to "have him" if he reported the beating to the police.

Whitworth, who has 20 previous convictions, kept his freedom and was given 160 hours' community punishment. The defendant, of Sandfield Road, Bacup, admitted assault by beating on January 21.

Mercedah Jabbari, prosecuting, told the court the victim was walking home at about 9pm, when he heard someone shout his name. The defendant, who was with a girl, approached him, was aggressive and his fists were clenched.

The schoolboy knew he was going to be hit. The defendant then pushed the victim in the chest, grabbed his shirt and punched him in the face. The boy went to the floor and was kicked but the girl with Whitworth told him to leave the youth alone.

Miss Jabbari said the schoolboy ran home and told his parents and police were called. Whitworth was questioned but claimed he had been babysitting.

Janet Sime, defending, said Whitworth had had a pretty traumatic time before the assault. On that day his uncle had suffered a stroke, his grandmother had been taken into hospital and he had taken that to heart.

The defendant had learning difficulties and significant health problems. When he was 11 he was paralysed and in hospital and completely lost his sight in one eye. He now had rheumatoid arthritis, had never worked and was classed as disabled.

Whitworth had depression, had struggled through his teenage years but with help and support responded well.

Miss Sime added Whitworth had not offended since and the boy' s injuries were minor. The defendant was despondent and feared a custodial sentence.