A YOB who attacked a teenager in Victoria Park in Widnes was branded a 'cowardly bully' by a judge.

Daniel Lee Nevitt, aged 21, of The Knoll, Palacefields, Runcorn, left his victim with 'disturbing' injuries following the sustained attack.

Chester Crown Court heard on Monday how Nevitt was in a gang of others when he attacked the male, punching him in the head and grabbing him by the throat.

Recorder J.A Gibson said the defendant only picked on people he knew to be smaller and weaker than himself.

"On the 9th of November 2013, the victim was invited to go to the park, and it may have been it was a trap to get him there," said the judge.

"You took it upon yourself to punch him without warning.

"You grabbed him by the throat and punched him again to the eye.

"This is clearly a matter of bullying.

"It's not you having an equal fight with someone, it's you being cowardly and intimidating people.

"You then said 'I haven't finished with you', and you shone a torch in his face, and he ran off and left his bike behind.

"That bike has not been recovered."

Nevitt, who has several previous convictions for battery, pleaded guilty to ABH.

In May 2013, he attacked a 72-year-old neighbour, punching him in the face, an offence for which he served 20 weeks in prison.

The court heard Nevitt, who has ADHD, now has a child and 'wants to turn his life around'.

Recorder O'Brien sentenced him to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.

"You may consider you wouldn't hit people bigger than you," he added.

Nevitt, wearing jeans and a blue shirt, was also sentenced to 12 months supervision, and a four month electronic curfew.