A NORTHWICH teenager has been sentenced by magistrates following a 'vicious' assault which left his victim unable to eat due to its severity.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, attacked a 57-year-old man walking home from a night out in Northwich town centre on June 18 this year.

Nigel James, prosecuting, read out a witness statement that described the incident as 'vicious', and reported seeing the boy punching and kicking the his victim several times.

The court heard that the man had suffered bruising to his throat, ribs and jaw, which gave him trouble chewing for some time afterwards, and that he still suffered regular nose bleeds.

The boy claimed he had been provoked but admitted he had gone too far.

Geoff Fletcher, defending, said: "It is true that my client overreacted but this incident is not something that just happened - the complainant accused him of stealing his bicycle, which my client denies."

Chairman of the bench John Argust ordered the boy to pay £300 compensation to his victim for his injuries.

He also told him he would be tagged for the duration of a three-month curfew order, as well as being made subject of a 12-month rehabilitation order.

Magistrates also ordered the boy to do 80 hours' community punishment.