A TEENAGER was convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm to a four-year-old child.

Mark Holden, aged 19, of Woodvale Avenue, Morris Green, Bolton, pleaded guilty to the offence after he grabbed hold of the boy and threw him to the ground causing facial injuries.

Bolton Magistrates Court heard Holden was invited around to the house by a friend in February 5 this year.

The court heard how a "heavily drunk" Holden became angry when he was asked to leave. He grabbed the four-year-old boy's T-shirt and threw him to one side. The boy hit his head on a kitchen unit -- cutting his eye.

The boy's mother contacted police and he was arrested.

The court was told that Holden was unable to recollect events after he had drank a mixture of alcohol and valium.

Sentencing Holden, magistrates said the assault against the child was a very serious offence and could have warranted a custodial sentence.

But they decihed to impose a community punishment order after they took into account his early guilty plea. He was ordered to do 220 hours community service and pay £70 court costs.