A balaclava-clad teen launched a terrifying attack on a fellow student at a Swindon school.

The boy punched the victim a number of times in the assault in full view of shocked staff and students.

Caught on CCTV, the 17-year-old and his adult co-defendant were wearing balaclavas when they launched the shocking onslaught.

Prosecutor Kate Prince said the fight was started when a can was thrown at the other party, believed to be by the adult.

Their victim was left was a split above his eye and in shock and confusion about what had happened, Swindon Youth Court was told on Tuesday (August 30).

The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was to later make comments about being in a fight and was found with the balaclava.

His co-defendant was recalled to prison over the incident.

The 17-year-old was a pupil at the sixth form, which cannot be named, but has since been kicked out.

His solicitor Emma Hillier said there had been “ongoing issues” between him and the victim.

“It seems on this particular day things had spilled over.

“It doesn’t appear [the boy] had thrown the can, he is remorseful for what happened. It seems to be a thing that youths are doing at the moment.”

District Judge Joanna Dickens was shocked to hear the details of the attack, and asked: “Were people filming it?”

Both Ms Prince and Ms Hillier said they did not have any evidence to suggest this.

Ms Hillier said that the boy has no issues with drugs or alcohol, and labelled it a “one-off issue”.

Asked to explain what happened by the district judge, the boy said: “I am truly sorry, I wish that I could go back to not have that fight.

“Obviously I understand what I did was wrong and I’m just here to take the punishment and I want to look to my future.”

Addressing him, Judge Dickens said: “This kind of offending is incredibly serious, you’re lucky you’re not 18 when this happened because you could have gone to prison because of this.

“It happened in a school environment. I expect some parents would have been horrified.”

She warned him not to waste the opportunity she was giving him.

District Judge Dickens imposed a four-month youth rehabilitation order.

He must also pay a £22 victim surcharge.

The adult co-defendant was jailed for 12 weeks, and told to pay a £128 victim surcharge.