A YOUTH was attacked by a teenager who claimed he owed him cash, Burnley magistrates heard.

The victim was punched and kicked in the ribs by Robert Tetlow, who also stamped on his head.

He ended up with a bloody nose, cuts and bruising and reddening to his cheeks and forehead and suffered severe headaches and back pain after the assault, the court heard.

Tetlow, 18, of Sycamore Avenue, Burnley, had been on deferred sentence, after earlier admitting assault by beating on December 15.

He was given 12 months probation and must pay £50 compensation and £55 costs.

John Wood, prosecuting, said the victim was walking down a path when Tetlow, whom he had known since he was five, put his arm around his shoulder.

The youth felt his legs go from under him and was punched, kicked and stamped on.

Tetlow kicked him as he told him: "You owe me some money. You had better get it."

The assault lasted for quite some time before a girl told Tetlow to leave the youth alone.

The attack was seen by a special constable, who went over to the victim and found him unsteady and dizzy and in shock.

Mr Wood said Tetlow told police he had been hit by the victim, who he claimed owed him £40, and had "just lost it."

Mark Williams, defending, said there was not yet a place at a drug rehabilitation centre, but everybody was working towards it.

He had completed his probation order, kept himself out of trouble and saved £40 towards compensation.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.