A BRIERLEY Hill teenager who left another young man scarred for life when he lashed out with a knife has avoided spending

time in custody.

The teen who was 16 at the time had been punched to the ground by the victim after being told he was going to "get his

head kicked in."

He managed to get back onto his feet and as the fight continued he drew the knife to allegedly scare off his attacker,

said Oliver Woolhouse prosecuting,

But as he waved the knife in a "slashing movement" he caught the victim on the forearm leaving him with a wound that

needed seven stitches and left a permanent scar.

The teenager who is now aged 17 - he cannot be named for legal reasons - admitted wounding and he was given a 12 month

rehabilitation order.

He was further ordered to obey a two month night time curfew and told he must also carry out 50 hours unpaid work in the

community.

Judge Michael Challinor told him: "I am satisfied that dealing with him in the community is the best way to turn him away from

violence."

Mr Woolhouse told Wolverhampton Crown Court a young girl had been called a "slag" during an argument in Swan Pool

Park, Stourbridge.

The girl later contacted her boyfriend and discovered he was on his way to find the teenager who had already been warned

that a group of youths had congregated near his home.

Fearing for his safety the teenager first picked up a glass bottle but that was taken off him by the girl and moments later

her boyfriend threw a string of punches at the defendant.

It was then he drew the knife, said Mr Woolhouse, causing an injury the victim maintained had affected him physically and

psychologically.