A TRUSTED friend, who, while supervising a teenager’s birthday party assaulted four of the guests, has escaped a jail sentence.

Lewis Walker, of Brown Street, Middleton, lashed out at a number of 16-year-olds while he was entrusted to look after them.

The 23-year-old was asked to watch the bunch of teenagers as they made their way to a ‘secret location’ in Lymm by a private coach by the father, who had organised the party.

The court heard how situation spiralled out of control on the evening of December 7, after some of the teenagers had been drinking underage.

Some of the teens started to become unruly and disruptive and, when Walker tried to calm down the 16-year-olds, he became aggressive and punched four of the youngsters.

It was also reported that Walker had been drinking on the evening of the incident.

Walker was later arrested as he supervised the teens on their way back from the party the following morning at around 1.30am after a number of complaints to the police.

None of the victims were taken to hospital but suffered bruising to the face and the back of the head.

Chief Magistrate Robert Wallace ruled out custody but warned Walker that if he committed any further offences then it would likely result in a jail sentence.

Walker, who is on benefits, was charged with four counts of assault and one charge of affray.

The 23-year-old was sentenced to eight weeks in custody which was suspended for 12 months at Halton Magistrates in Runcorn on Thursday and will have to undertake a 12 month supervision order as well as a thinking skills programme.

He was also ordered to pay £50 to each victim, totalling £200, and an £80 victim surcharge.