A Newton Abbot binge drinker has been ordered to pay compensation to a teenager who was kicked in the head in an unprovoked street attack.

Ryan Gooding set on a 17-year-old boy as he was walking home from a shop to his supported accommodation in Newton Abbot.

He shoved the boy over onto a grating in the road and stamped on his head twice, Exeter Crown Court was told.

Gooding, aged 19, of Bradley Lane, Newton Abbot, admitted common assault and was jailed for four months, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 160 hours unpaid community work and pay £300 compensation by Recorder Mr Philip Mott, QC.

He decided not to activate an earlier suspended sentence after hearing that Gooding is receiving treatment for mental health issues and is working with the addiction service Rise to tackle his drinking.

He told Gooding:" This was an assault involving two stamps to the head and normally only immediate custody would meet that case. I am surprised in many ways I feel able to take a different course.

"This offence was horrible and frightening for your victim, who was even younger than yourself. It was about as bad as a common assault can be."

Miss Francesca Whebell, prosecuting, said the victim noticed Gooding was very drunk as he passed him in the street and was then attacked without warning, forced to the ground and stamped on, suffering only minor injuries.

Mr Lee Bremridge, defending, said Gooding had performed very well under his suspended sentence and completed 140 hours of community work at a farm and woodland project in Dartington.

He has taken steps on his own to tackle mental health problems and seek help with his drinking. He is due to start a course of cognitive behavioural therapy in the next few weeks.

He has registered with an employment agency and already done one shift at a warehouse. He also hopes to move to a new home in Torbay with his pregnant girlfriend.