A NEPHEW has been spared jail despite kicking his aunt in the head and knocking her unconscious in a street attack in Tonge Moor.

Sharon Reece was also punched on the nose by her 26-year-old nephew Joshua Clare — despite having had surgery on it eight days earlier.

Clare, who admitted punching and kicking his aunt Sharon Reece and her son Connor in the early hours of October 21, was given a 12-month sentence, which was suspended for a year.

Bolton Crown Court heard Miss Reece was knocked unconscious while Connor suffered a fracture to the face in the attacks, which related to a family dispute.

Clare confronted aunt Miss Reece outside The Starkie Arms pub in the early hours of October 21, 2012, Bolton Crown Court was told yesterday.

He asked her if everything was all right and she said Clare had to make up with her son Connor.

Clare then punched her on the nose and left, while Miss Reece phoned her son and the two of them followed Clare to Leslie Street, where he was staying.

After Clare had come out of a house, he pushed Miss Reece to the ground and kicked her repeatedly in the body and head, knocking her out.

Connor tried to intervene, shouting “get off her”, but Clare then punched him in the eye, causing a fracture.

Clare had pleaded guilty to two counts of actual bodily harm against Miss Reece, and one of grievous bodily harm against Connor.

He will be unable to contact either victim, or visit The Starkie Arms in the next year, and he must pay both his injured relatives £450 in compensation.

Recorder Mark Ainsworth said: “These attacks were against members of your family, including a female family member.

“ The attack on Miss Reece was more serious, if anything, because she had undergone that recent operation.”