An Ipswich teenager was one of two men who avoided going to jail for a serious assault in Colchester city centre. 

Jonathan O’Brien and Aston Abbess appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Monday to face a charge of wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm without attempt each. 

On January 27, the two defendants were captured on CCTV in Red Lion Walk getting into a physical altercation with two other men. 

A man in his 50s was beaten and further kicked when he was on the ground which left him with "nasty" injuries and in need of surgery on his face. 

Juliet Donovan, prosecuting, told the court that the victim had his head kicked and suffered “substantial” injuries during the assault. 

She said: “He was left on the floor and nobody seemed to call the ambulance.” 

Mrs Donovan told the court about the seriousness of the injuries, which included bruising, bleeding and fractures of several bones on his face, including his jaw. 

Judge Nicola Talbot-Hadley saw the defendants on separate occasions throughout the day and passed two separate sentences. 

Danielle Byford, mitigating for O’Brien, who is from Ipswich, told the court that it was a “very difficult evening for him” as he had experienced a domestic incident prior, which left him with an injury. 

He and his co-defendant admitted to being heavily intoxicated on that particular night.

O’Brien, 19, claimed to have reacted to a homophobic comment shouted at him. 

Mrs Byford said: “He knew he could walk away. But he is extremely remorseful for what he did.” 

Peter Spary, mitigating for Abbess, 28, told the court that the incident was “out of character” and he is “not a violent person”. 

Mr Spary said: “He is not taking a leading role, he is taking the back seat in the incident.” 

Judge Talbot Hadley considered the defendants' ages and history of convictions before passing her sentence. 

Both defendants pleaded guilty to the offence at their first hearing at Magistrates’ Court. 

O’Brien, of London Road, Ipswich, was sentenced to two years' custody, suspended by two years, and a mental health treatment requirement of 12 sessions.

Additionally, he received 20 days of rehabilitation activity. 

Abbess, of Beazley Close, Ware, was deemed to have played a lesser role and was sentenced to serve 16 months, suspended for two years.