A 14-YEAR-old boy who smashed a bottle over another boy's head has been locked up for a year.The persistent young offender, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to causing Sean Woodsford grievous bodily harm at Cardinal Park, in Ipswich, last October.

A 14-YEAR-old boy who smashed a bottle over another boy's head has been locked up for a year.

The persistent young offender, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to causing Sean Woodsford grievous bodily harm at Cardinal Park, in Ipswich, last October.

He also admitted theft of an £80 pair of trainers from a house in the town's Geneva Road later that night, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Lindsay Cox, prosecuting, said the teenager approached Mr Woodsford and demanded he give him the glass of beer he was holding.

When Mr Woodsford refused the youth said: "I'm going to bottle you and cut you."

He then raised a bottle he was holding and smashed it down on Mr Woodsford's head.

Mr Woodsford collapsed and was taken to Ipswich Hospital where the cut on his forehead was treated with four stitches.

Following this incident the defendant went to a house in Geneva Road which houses youngsters with learning difficulties.

The court heard that he frightened the occupants and damaged property and stole some trainers.

The defendant was arrested in a garden shed in the town which had been converted into a bedsit.

The court heard that the boy had a "very troubled" background and a history of medical problems. The youth, who showed remorse for his actions, had previous convictions for common assault, criminal damage and theft.

Judge John Devaux said: "You are a persistent young offender. You have had a difficult start to life and still suffer many problems.

"But you broke a bottle over Sean Woodsford's head causing a nasty injury."

Judge Devaux sentenced the youth to a total of 12 months in a secure unit. Reporting restrictions were not lifted.