Two men have been spared jail after attacking a man outside a Tottington supermarket.

Kian Winstanley, 19, pleaded guilty to one count of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent ahead of hearing at Manchester Crown Court on Monday. His friend, Aaron Rigby, 18, pleaded guilty to affray.

The 22-year-old victim had been on an evening out with family and friends in July last year when he was subject to an unprovoked attacked at around 11pm.

Ms Kate Gaskell, prosecuting, told the court that Winstanley and Rigby, who had been drinking at a pub with a group of friends, shouted verbal abuse at the victim as he walked towards a nearby Tesco express.

Winstanley then punched the victim three times which knocked him to the ground causing ‘devastating’ facial injuries.

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The victim sustained a fracture to his nose and eye socket in the attack and was taken to Fairfield Hospital where he received stitches. Rigby threw a bottle towards the victim which did not hit anyone.

In a statement, the victim said that he now felt “anxious and nervous when out in public” and that the attack had a severe effect on his mental health.

Mohammed Omar, who defended Winstanley, said his client had no previous convictions and had shown ‘regret and remorse’ for his actions.

He said the attack had been ‘very short lived’ and that in the moments after punching the victim Winstanley had had a ‘sobering moment’ and apologised to his victim and has since stopped drinking alcohol.

Mr Barton, defending Rigby, said his client was 17 at the time of the attack and that he accepted the charges.

He said: “[Rigby] pleaded guilty on the basis of full facts.

“He was very young [at the time of the attack]”

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He added that Rigby had secured employment in the construction industry and was hoping to gain an apprenticeship.

Recorder Peter Wright, said the victim had been ‘defenceless’ but praised Tesco staff for letting him seek refuge there and lowering the shutters to protect him, his father and friend. 

Addressing the defendents, he said: “You must accept responsibility for what you did.”

He sentenced Aaron Rigby, of Tottington Road, Bury to a 12 month community order, 10 days of rehabilitation and 120 hours of unpaid work to be completed within the next 12 months.

Kian Winstanley, of Fernview Drive, Tottington was sentenced to an 18-month suspended sentence, with 10 days of rehabilitation and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay the victim £1750 pounds in compensation.