A TEENAGER who attacked two men when troubled flared inside a Kendal nightclub has escaped a custodial sentence.

Carlisle Crown Court heard that one of two cricket club players assaulted by Jake Burrow in Bootleggers needed hospital treatment and could be scarred for life.

Burrow, 18, admitted charges of wounding and common assault, and appeared in court on Monday to be sentenced.

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Francis McEntree, prosecuting, said the more seriously injured of the two men, Darren Braithwaite, was out with a group of people who played cricket together, including his friend Carl Green.

By the time they arrived in Kendal, Mr Braithwaite was 'tipsy'.

Mr Green was involved in a minor incident on the dance floor at Bootleggers, the court heard, but it settled down and everyone got on with dancing.

But in a statement, Mr Braithwaite said it 'kicked off again'.

Mr Green was struck in the face by another male and as he tried to get his friend away, Mr Braithwaite was hit on the head. He went to the toilet to check his face and was bleeding from a cut under the right eye.

He went to hospital in Lancaster and received six or seven stitches to a cut.

His eye was also blackened, he had bitten his tongue, chipped a tooth and taken a bang to the back of his head, the court heard.

Burrow, of Haverbrack, Milnthorpe, was interviewed by police and said he thought the trouble on the dance floor had eased, but he saw his friend on the floor and was prompted to punch two men as they squared up to him.

Barrister Liz Muir, mitigating, said Burrow had never been before a court before.

“He is extremely frightened by the prospect he could well be facing a custodial sentence, and has had that hanging over him now for some considerable time,” said Miss Muir.

“What is clear is that this was not Mr Burrow’s fight. He should never have got himself involved in it and should have walked away. It is something that he thoroughly regrets.”

Mr. Recorder Jones decided against a custodial sentence after hearing that he was said to be a 'credit' to himself and his current employer.

Burrow was given a 12-month community order, must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation of £750 and £250 to Mr Braithwaite and Mr Green, respectively, and a £60 victim surcharge.