Last updated 16:18, Wednesday, 27 August 2008

A TEENAGER with an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder could be locked up after he broke a man’s nose as he stuck his head out of a bedroom window.

The 15-year-old persistent young offender, from Barrow, admitted assault on July 3 when he appeared before the Barrow Youth Panel at Furness Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Prosecutor Miss Lisa O’Loughlin said it was about 6pm when the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was playing football with friends.

She said: “They played for about an hour when the defendant began to show off and became mouthy. The other two went to the 17-year-old victim’s flat.

“The defendant was looking through the windows so they shut the curtains. They went into a bedroom to have a cigarette and stuck his head out of the window. The defendant was outside. They had a conversation about a mobile phone the defendant says he had lost during the football game.

“The victim turned to hand the cigarette to his friend behind him and as he turned back the defendant punched him in the face with his fist. His nose was bleeding and was later found to be fractured.

“The defendant was arrested and interviewed by police.

“He told them he had lost his mobile phone and then found it.

He says the teenager he assaulted was shouting at him through the window. He asked him to come out but he didn’t so he went over and punched him.”

The court heard the youngster had a string of convictions and was classed as a persistent young offender.

Defending, Mr Trystan Roberts said his client suffered from ADHD and was often wound up by older friends, including the 17-year-old he punched.

He said: “They were winding him up again. They find it quite amusing to wind him up.

“He accepts that he punched him once.”

Presiding magistrate Mr Bernard Beckett said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a man who was in his flat. This one single blow caused a significant injury, so I’m asking for an all options report.”

The teenager will return to the court for sentencing on September 5, and until that date remains on unconditional bail.