A TEENAGE Good Samaritan who went to the aid of an assault victim turned attacker and launched a ‘sustained’ beating on the victim himself, a court heard.

Thomas Braithwaite, 18, punched ‘particularly vulnerable’ Connor Bateson, who has heart problems, and when the victim went to the ground, he then hit him twice more as Mr Bateson curled up trying to protect himself.

Mr Bateson was said to have earlier been set upon by a gang in trouble at Colne Cricket Club.

The defendant, who was drunk, had not been part of that but was the only one who ended up in the dock following the melee.

Burnley magistrates were told how comments, including some bragging, about the melee and the people said to be involved were put on Twitter and Facebook after the early hours violence, last August 18.

Braithwaite, who has never been in trouble before, admitted assault by beating and the bench told him they never wanted to see him in court again.

The defendant, of Park Cottages, Hollin Hall, Trawden, was given a 36-hour attendance centre order and was told to pay a total of £245, in compensation, costs and victim surcharge.#

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said Braithwaite initially went to help Mr Bateson, but then decided to assault him.

The victim had been at a party at the cricket club when about 15 people started fighting.

The group started to leave and bar staff went outside to split them up.

The defendant ran towards a group outside and struck Mr Bateson in the head.

As the victim then lay on the ground, covering his head, the defendant punched him again in the head and two others pulled him away.

Mrs Mann said Mr Bateson was taken back into the cricket club. He was badly swollen and bleeding from his face.

The victim was taken to hospital, where he was found to also be bruised and had a black eye and some concussion.

Jeremy Frain, for Braithwaite, said the victim had been punched and kicked repeatedly by a group of six people at the cricket club.

This didn't involved involve the defendant, but it ‘seemed incredulous’ he was the only one in court having to ‘face the music’.

He said Braithwaite at first went over to separate the group from the complainant.

But when Mr Bateson became agitated with him, the defendant felt aggrieved and probably because he wasn't thinking straight, turned the tables and found himself hitting him.

Mr Frain said: "That does bring him down, not only in his own estimation, but in the court's estimation. He wishes, through me, to apologise to the complainant. I think he has learned a salutary lesson."