A TEENAGER who attacked a friend with a bottle was spared jail after an appeal from the victim.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Paul Dixon left his friend, Kieran Cheetham, with a horrific cut on his face after "horseplay" turned to violence.

Colin Buckle, prosecuting, told the court how the two men were among a group of friends who gathered at Mr Cheetham's home in Tonge Moor on September 14 last year.

The group headed into Bolton and then went to a house party in Breightmet before returning to Mr Cheetham's home at 12.30am, where they stood outside drinking.

Mr Buckle said: "At that stage there seems to be some, what may be described as, horseplay and throwing of beer at each other."

Dixon began fighting with another man and when Mr Cheetham tired to intervene, he was also punched.

The court was told how Dixon, holding a bottle, then headed towards Mr Cheetham, who heard a smash and felt a "tingling" sensation before seeing blood starting to pour from his head.

An ambulance took Mr Cheetham to the Royal Bolton Hospital, but he had to be transferred to Blackburn for specialist treatment, and required 20 stitches to a gash on his left temple and further stitches to an arm wound.

Mr Buckle said the attack has left Mr Cheetham with a permanent scar he feels self conscious about.

But despite this he added that the victim still regards 19-year-old Dixon as a friend and did not want him to go to jail.

Alexander Menary, defending, said the attack was completely out of character for Dixon, who is hard working and has never been in trouble before.

He added that he "bitterly regrets" his behaviour and has now given up alcohol and going out in the town centre.

Dixon, of Bleak Street, Tonge Moor, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Recorder Michael Blakey said he accepted that Dixon was not drunk at the time of the attack and had not smashed the bottle before using it on his friend.

He added that he bore Mr Cheetham's views in mind when he sentenced Dixon to 16 months in jail, suspended for two years.

"Custody would have a significant affect on you and your family and your future prospects," Mr Blakey told him.

Dixon was also ordered to do 140 hours unpaid work, hand Mr Cheetham £500 compensation and pay a £100 victim surcharge.