A BLACKBURN teenager in a soccer tournament attacked a team-mate in a "dreadfully aggressive" act, a court has heard.

A 14-year-old youngster ended up with a fractured cheekbone after he was kicked in the face.

He needed surgery for the injury below the eye, and suffered blurred vision for a week.

A 15-year-old Blackburn boy appeared for sentence at Preston Crown Court, having earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Miss Charlotte Holland, prosecuting, said the offence arose in August last year when the teenage boys, both then aged 14, were playing in an under 15's tournament.

A dispute arose about the way they were playing.

The other lad was said to have told the defendant to get back into position.

It was claimed that both spat at each other before the defendant allegedly punched the other in the face.

Another member of the same team suggested that the complainant struck out at the youth, who responded by punching him.

But while the boy was on the floor the defendant kicked out at him, hitting him in the face, while wearing his football boots.

The youngster went to hospital and underwent surgery on a fractured cheekbone.

The injury was said to have prevented him playing sport until October.

Mr Dennis Watson, defending the youth, who had no previous convictions, said it was not a case of a young man out at night and looking for trouble, or anything like that.

He said: "The offence was unpleasant and serious. He bitterly regrets the incident.

"He apologised to the team manager and an apology is expressly offered to the boy."

His barrister said the intervening eight months had been a time of great worry for the youngster.

Recorder Graham Wood QC said the act had been dreadfully aggressive and also very shameful.

He told the youth "I don't know what possessed you to act in this way."

He decided to remit the case to the youth court for sentencing by magistrates.