Attack boy, 13, put man in hospital

Magistrates at Lewes Youth Court heard how the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, attacked his 18-year-old victim when he refused to give him a cigarette.

During a previous hearing the boy had denied the charge but was found guilty on October 7.

At sentencing, on Thursday last week, Claire Prodger, prosecuting, told the court how the boy had approached the man as he sat on a bench in Newhaven High Street on March 23.

She said: 'He was sitting on the bench outside a kebab shop chatting when he was approached by a group of youths.'

The boy, who was part of the gang, demanded a cigarette and when the man refused he grabbed him by the shoulders and kneed him in the groin. Fearing he would be attacked again the man handed over the cigarette.

Afterwards, he made his way to public toilets and examined the swelling which had ballooned to the size of an orange. Miss Prodger added: 'He could not walk properly and had to be helped home by friends.'

His parents took him to hospital in Brighton where he required an operation to remove a blood clot. 'The scrotum was bruised and about the size of grapefruit,' said Miss Prodger.

Mike Tyler, defending, said the boy had expressed remorse for his actions. He explained that he was a 'vulnerable and needy young boy' who had suffered brain damage when he was younger as the result of serious fall and had learning difficulties.

Magistrates' chairman Joanna Earl said his disability had been taken into account during deliberations and sentenced the boy to a six months supervision order.