A NORTH Young Guns gang leader and his accomplice walked free from court yesterday, despite splitting a teenager’s head open with a hammer in a ‘traumatic’ attack.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was described by the prosecution as the leader in a group of teenage males who were involved in two incidents concerning victim Oliver Corner.

Oliver, who was 17 at the time of the assault, had traded blows with the ringleader, of Dydale Road, Taw Hill, several weeks before.

On June 21, 2013, Oliver found himself again before the gang of boys near Asda, at Orbital Shopping Park.

He was struck across the back of the head with an object, thought to be a hammer, and ultimately suffered a split and broken nose at the hands of Mervyn Willis, 22, of Barcote Close, Redhouse.

The victim required six staples in his head and had to undergo reconstructive surgery to repair his nose after the break.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, said: “Clearly, this was a fairly traumatic attack.

“His life now is spent being scared about walking in the area, particularly in the area he was attacked in.

"He has been left with visible injuries which were very painful at that time.”

Judge Peter Blair QC released Willis and his co-defendant after hearing of the maturity and improvements they had shown in the 20 months since the incident.

Tony Bignell, defending the 17-year-old, said his involvement with North Young Guns was behind him and he was thinking clearly about his lawful future in society.

For Willis, Alex Daymond said: “This offence dates back some 20 months and a lot of water has passed under the bridge for him.

“He was given information which caused him to believe the injured party was someone involved in bullying his brother.

“He took it upon himself to do something about it, rather than go through the proper channels.”

Willis pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity to one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, in December 2013.

The unnamed teen however, did not admit to his part in the offence until the day his trial was due to begin in December 2014, which had delayed the sentencing hearing until yesterday.

Judge Blair said the pair had come within a hair’s breadth of immediate custody.

“I suspect you are probably still too immature in being able to express your acknowledgement or feelings as to the suffering you have caused him,” he said.

“You are young men growing up and you have proved in the last 18 months you have begun to make something of yourselves.”

Willis was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, along with a 12-month supervision order under the probation service. He was also ordered to pay £50 compensation and an £80 victim surcharge.

The teenager was ordered to carry out 50 hours unpaid work in the community, visit an attendance programme for 30 hours, and pay £300 compensation and a £15 victim surcharge.