A TEENAGER who helped to convince a suicidal friend not to end his life then turned on him and beat him into unconsciousness, a court heard.

Aaron Jenkins and his girlfriend Emma Butterworth had been at a house party with Connor Watkinson, 19, before the night turned violent, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Stephen Parker said that the evening had begun with the friends, and two others, purchasing a 24-pack of lager and a bottle of vodka.

Mr Jenkins had become emotional later on and left the property, telling people that he intended to take his own life by jumping off a nearby bridge, the court heard. But Watkinson was able to talk him around and the pair returned to the house, where they continued drinking.

Later, Mr Jenkins again became distressed and talked about committing suicide. His girlfriend urged him to think about what he was saying, and the effect on his mother.

Watkinson became agitated and repeatedly punched Mr Jenkins on at least two occasions. Watkinson was persuaded by his friends to leave. Mr Jenkins’ mobile phone was removed from his pocket, by Watkinson, as Mr Jenkins recovered from the attacks.

The court heard that Watkinson returned, on the pretext to help Mr Jenkins find his “lost” phone. But instead, Watkinson resumed the attack and knocked Mr Jenkins unconscious.

Mr Parker said that the defendant used an adjustable spanner at one point as a weapon and aimed kicks at Mr Jenkins’ prone body.

Miss Butterworth tried to cover her boyfriend’s body before Watkinson produced a knife. Watkinson left her with slash marks to her hands.

Adam Watkins, defending, said his client and Mr Jenkins were troubled young men and much of what happened was unclear due to the alcohol which had been consumed.

Watkinson, of Queensbury Road, Burnley, admitted assaulting Mr Jenkins and Miss Butterworth and stealing a mobile phone. Watkinson was jailed for 38 months.

Aaron Jenkins and his girlfriend Emma Butterworth had been at a house party with 19-year-old Connor Watkinson before the night turned violent, Burnley Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Stephen Parker said that the evening had begun with the friends, and two others, purchasing a 24-pack of lager and a bottle of vodka.

Mr Jenkins had become ‘emotional’ later on and left the property, telling people that he intended to take his own life by jumping off a nearby bridge, the court heard.

But Watkinson was able to talk him around and the pair returned to the house, where they continued drinking.

Later Mr Jenkins again became distressed and talked about committing suicide, the court was told, and his girlfriend urged him to think about what he was saying, and the effect on his mother.

Watkinson became agitated and started to repeatedly punch Mr Jenkins, on at least two occasions, before he was persuaded to leave by his friends.

Mr Parker said that before he left Watkinson was seen to remove Mr Jenkins’ mobile phone from his pocket, as he recovered from the attacks.

The court heard that Watkinson returned, ostensibly to help the other man find his ‘lost’ phone. But instead he resumed the attack and knocked Mr Jenkins unconscious.

Mr Parker said that the defendant used an adjustable spanner at one point as a weapon and aimed kicks at his prone body.

Miss Butterworth tried to cover her boyfriend’s body, the court heard, before Watkinson produced a knife. He left her with slash marks to her hands after a struggle.

Arrested later, he told police about attempting to talk Mr Jenkins out of taking his own life and pointed to a bite mark on his arm, which he said the victim had inflicted.

Adam Watkins, defending, said it was apparent both his client and Mr Jenkin were ‘troubled young men’ and much of what had happened was unclear because of the alcohol which had been consumed.

Watkinson, of Queensbury Road, Burnley, admitted assaulting Mr Watkinson and Miss Butterworth and stealing a mobile phone on October 27 last year.

Jailing him for 38 months, Judge Jacqueline Beech said: “If Mr Jenkins had been expressing suicidal thoughts the the last thing he needed was someone viciously assaulting him.”