Teenager attacked man with bottle

The teenage attacker cut David Willis's ear and neck

A man stabbed in the ear and neck with a broken bottle by a "feral" teenager said he was scared to go outside his home after the attack.

David Willis was attacked by the 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, after he refused to buy him alcohol in Plymouth, Devon.

The 24-year-old mechanic needed 37 stitches and plastic surgery.

The teenager was sentenced on Monday to 18-month's detention after pleading guilty to unlawful wounding.

Broken bottle

Mr Willis, from Plymouth, said: "It was a shock someone that young could do that.

"For some time afterwards I didn't feel safe outside my own home.

"I've had trouble sleeping and still get a lot of pain in my ear."

Plymouth Crown Court heard that Mr Willis was on his way home from shopping shortly after 1800 on 24 May when he and a friend were approached by a gang of five youths.

Mr Willis and his friend were carrying a pack of 15 bottles of lager and the defendant asked if they could buy him some alcohol or cigarettes.

Wandering the streets

The court was told that when Mr Willis refused, he was verbally abused before one of the group snatched and dropped the pack of beer and the defendant punched Mr Willis in the mouth twice, chipping his front tooth.

He then picked up a broken bottle from the street and swung it at the left side of Mr Willis's head, cutting his ear and neck.

Jason Beal, defending, told the court the boy had suffered neglect from birth and the attack was a "feral" act.

He said: "He suffered neglect from birth and an utter absence of any form of meaningful control from the days he could walk.

"From the age of three he was wandering around the streets uncared for."

Sentencing the boy Judge Francis Gilbert said despite his "pitiful" upbringing, he had no choice but to pass a custodial sentence.

A Plymouth City Council spokesman said: "The young person in question is known to children's services and, along with other agencies in the city, we are working together to provide support."