A DRUG taker ended up with a fractured jaw and eye socket after being kicked in the face over a £50 debt.

At Bolton Crown Court, on the day he was due to stand trial, Billy Walker’s attacker Kieron Stuart admitting intentionally causing grievous bodily harm and was jailed for six years.

Philip Dobson, prosecuting, told Judge Graeme Smith how 18-year-old Mr Walker had run up a £50 bill with his cannabis dealer, who then passed on the debt to 30-year-old Stuart.

On Friday June 30 Mr Walker was at his brother, Jamie Cooper’s home when he spotted Stuart in the street.

Stuart demanded £50 from the teenager who offered to pay him the following Monday.

Mr Dobson told the court how Stuart then lunged at Mr Walker, punching him three times in the face, knocking him to the ground, where he kicked his victim.

In a statement, Mr Walker’s brother, Jamie Cooper, who witnessed the attack, said: “It was a proper kick like a volley and this caused Billy’s head to bounce back and I saw he was bleeding.” Mr Walker needed surgery to insert plates in his face.

When arrested Stuart, of Elsdon Gardens, Bolton, refused to answer police questions.

The court heard that he has a lengthy criminal record including convictions for attempted robbery and burglary. Sentencing Stuart, Judge Smith told him it had been a “vicious” assault.