A LOWESTOFT teenager who was involved in an attack which left a man with a broken ankle has been sentenced to 12 months detention in a young offenders' institution.

Ian Mortimer, who had no memory of the attack by 18-year-old Matthew Tuck, was in so much pain that he thought he had been run over by a car, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Tuck, of London Road South, admitted unlawfully wounding Mr Mortimer on June 23 last year.

Sentencing him, Judge John Devaux said Mr Mortimer had been the victim of a sustained attack by Tuck who had hit him in the face and another man who had kicked him.

Michael Crimp, prosecuting, said Mr Mortimer had been out in Lowestoft with friends and had exchanged what he thought was 'banter' with Tuck and another man in the street.

Shortly afterwards Mr Mortimer was hit in the face by Tuck and fell into the road where he was kicked by the other man.

Mr Mortimer was taken to hospital where he was found to have a fractured ankle and underwent surgery to have his ankle pinned, said Mr Crimp.

Christopher Morgan, for Tuck, said his client was only 17 at the time of the offence and had always accepted hitting Mr Mortimer in the face.

He said Tuck had acted out of character and wasn't a young man who went out looking for trouble on a regular basis.