TEENAGE thugs who left a man with a fractured skull after punching him to the ground and kicking him have been locked up for 12 months.

Tom Cookson, 18, and his 17-year-old accomplice, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were told at York Crown Court that despite their remorse and excellent character references, the attack “could not go unpunished”.

The pair pleaded guilty to attacking 19-year old Michael McMillan, during a drunken party at Cookson’s home, in January. Their victim was described as having the mental age of a 13-year-old.

The prosecution told the court that there had been a disagreement between McMillan and another person in which McMillan had been punched after being pushed into the other man.

The prosecutor said: “Cookson dragged McMillan outside by his foot and punched him once in the face.

“The second defendant then staggered out and kicked him while he lay on the ground. Cookson was heard saying that it was a one-punch knock-out and told a witness not to speak to police once they arrived.”

Their unconscious victim was taken to York Hospital where a scan revealed he had suffered a skull fracture and a brain bleed.

Chloe Fairley, representing Cookson, of Arthur Street, York, said: “It must be to his credit that he has tried to turn his life round and has become involved in the Rock Church in order to break away from the people he spent time with before.”

She said her client had a young son and had recently gained employment and that he had made a “significant change for man of 18”.

His fellow defendant was described as having no previous convictions and a former employer provided a glowing character reference.

Mark McKoen, in mitigation, said: “One can never be sure, but given his work record and lack of previous convictions, he may learn from this and never be back before a court again.”

The Recorder of York, Judge Stephen Ashurst, told the pair there was a lot of good in them, but said: “Your victim was left with extremely significant injuries and may have developed into more serious injuries – all this, I suspect, out of absolutely nothing.”

He sentenced Cookson to 12 months’ detention with a training order and handed the 17-year-old 12 months in a young offenders’ institute.