A FAIRFIELD man who punched and stamped on a 15-year-old boy's head during a ruthless attack has been jailed.

Mark Bailey, 25, of Helsby Street, appeared at Warrington Crown Court on Friday after admitting causing actual bodily harm to the 'vulnerable' victim.

The court heard the youngster was in the Willis Street area with a friend shortly before being confronted in September 2014.

Prosecution barrister Jonathan Austin said the 15-year-old knew the defendant, who has 35 convictions for 24 offences, ‘vaguely by sight’.

He added: "The victim was just 15 at the time. A friend said the defendant approached the victim, knocked him down and stamped on his head, before riding off on a bike.

"A resident heard a boy shouting in distress – the victim was lying unconscious.

"He had bruising to his left ear, lump on his head, graze on his arms and a mark on his back."

A victim personal statement read out in court said the boy suffered from 'paranoia' in the weeks after the incident, particularly when out with adults he did not know.

Defence barrister Sarah Griffin admitted her client had a 'bad record' but said there were 'some positives' to put forward and that Bailey has been determined to 'turn his life around' since 2014.

"The defendant entered his guilty plea on the day of trial," she added.

"He is a carer and frequently tries to gain employment but has unfortunately not been able to.

"He has taken positive steps since 2014 – he quit cannabis and associated himself with different people.

"He had been drinking on this day. I would suggest probation can work with him."

Judge Nicholas Woodward, sentencing, labelled the effects of the attack on the day-to-day life of the boy as 'serious'.

He said: "You are 25 years old and made an unprovoked attack on a 15-year-old boy.

"Your punches knocked him unconscious and when he was unable to defend himself you stamped on him.

"When the police arrived he was still unconscious.

"This is not your first time in court – you have 35 convictions for 24 offences.

"The victim, in my view, was vulnerable."

Bailey, who scratched his head as he walked out of the dock, was sentenced to 27 months in prison.