TWO teenagers who left a youth in a coma after savagely attacking him at a party have been spared time behind bars.

The 17-year-old victim, who was punched and kicked during the incident at Spring Meadows Social Club, Cradley Heath, suffered a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain.

Sennan Ali, of Orchard Road, Netherton, lashed out with his fist while the kick was delivered by Rashaun Reid, of Petford Street in Cradley Heath.

Recorder Edward Coke told the two 19-year-olds that they had inflicted serious injuries to the young man, who had now made a full recovery.

It was more by luck and medical intervention that they had not faced a more serious charge, he added, as he ruled he was just able to avoid sending them straight into custody.

They were both young men of previous good character, said the Recorder at Wolverhampton Crown Court, and they were both in employment.

Ali, an accounts worker, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and he was given a 16 month jail term, suspended for 18 months.

He was told to pay £250 compensation to the victim together with £500 costs.

Reid, a road worker, denied the same charge but he was found guilty by a jury after they retired to consider the evidence at the end of his trial.

He was given a two year jail term, suspended for 18 months and must carry out 200 hours unpaid work and pay £250 compensation and £1,000 court costs.

Lynette McClement, prosecuting told the court that police officers were called out to deal with disorder at the party and the victim was found to be unconscious He was rushed to hospital for treatment in a "deep" coma and when questioned later he revealed to police he had little recollection of the incident.