A "VICIOUS LOUT" who subjected a 12-year-old girl to a terror attack in a Burnley park has been sentenced to a year behind bars.

A court heard how student Asif Mahmood, 19, "completely lost it," and left the child unconscious when he thought she had said something to him in Towneley Park, last September.

The court heard Mahmood, who had not wanted to lose face with his friends, grabbed the girl by the throat, knocked her to the ground and repeatedly kicked her. He may also have stamped on her head.

Fortunately the child was not seriously injured, although her emotional scars would take much longer to heal, the court was told.

Sentencing at Burnley Crown Court, Recorder Tonya Griffiths, said Mahmood had had a "childish tantrum that had devastating effects," and totally lost control. She added she was prepared to accept the defendant was normally a decent and popular youth and that was why the case was a tragedy for both he and the girl.

Mahmood, of Hawk Street, Burnley, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Alex Leach, prosecuting, said the girl had been with her sister and a friend when the defendant, the front seat passenger in a car, asked for "a fag". The victim said she didn't have any, Mahmood accused her of lying, swore at her, walked over to her and grabbed her.

The next thing the girl remembered was her sister shaking her to try and wake her up and Mahmood threatening the other occupants of the vehicle when they tried to intervene.

When the defendant was interviewed by police, he said he heard a girl laughing at him and just lost it. He admitted he may have stamped on her head and had no real reason for attacking her.

Mr Leach said the victim suffered a swollen face, cuts to her ear, bruises and her jaw and head ached. Her injuries had healed although she had been left with scarring to her left ear. The assault had had a significant effect on the child.

Martin Hackett, defending, said he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and was full and frank with police.

Mahmood became angry after an exchange of words but that did not give him a licence to behave in the way he did. The defendant was thankful the girl's injuries were not so serious.