A TEENAGER whose father was murdered when he was a child has escaped a jail sentence after an unprovoked assault on a student.

Christian Carl Wheadon, 18, was told he was a menace and a risk to the public by Burnley Magistrates, who said he had come very close to going to jail.

Bench chairman, James McGowan told Wheadon he was drinking far too much and mixing with the wrong crowd.

He said: "This was a deliberate unprovoked assault on an innocent victim."

The defendant, of Hale Street, Burnley, who admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and theft, was given a 12-month community order with supervision.

He must also do 150 hours unpaid work and pay £250 compensation.

Sue Campbell, prosecuting, told the court student Matthew Atkinson, 19, was at the annual travelling fair in Burnley in July with his girlfriend and her father.

He was approached by the defendant and hit in the face with a clenched fist. Mr Atkinson felt pain in his forehead and the top of his nose and was taken straight to hospital.

His nose was swollen, he was told to return later and was found to have a fractured nose and tissue damage.

Mrs Campbell said the defendant was caught after a friend of the victim telephoned him, saying he had heard Wheadon was talking about hitting somebody on the fairground.

Police went to speak to the defendant who claimed the victim had verbally abused him.

Mark Williams, defending, said the attack was one blow and was not prolonged.

Wheadon had drunk quite a lot of cider, he and Mr Atkinsion bumped into each other, something was said and the defendant reacted.

Wheadon knew it was wrong, regretted his actions and had sympathy for the victim.

The court heard that Wheadon's father had been murdered when Wheadon was eight and he was aware of the impact of assaults.

Mr Williams said the evidence against the defendant was slim.

Mr Atkinson had no idea who punched him, Wheadon only had a few previous convictions and on the whole had co-operated with court orders.