A 17-year-old male youth has been sentenced to three-and-a-half year Public Protection Order after admitting an assault which left its victim in a coma for seven weeks.

Jamie Lee Biddle, who was 16 at the time of the attack, had earlier pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was sentenced today (Friday) at Worcester Crown Court. He had also pleaded guilty to a separate charge of common assault.

The sentence means that Biddle, of Kilvert Road, Hereford, will serve his full period in custody and only be released when a parole board is satisfied he no longer poses a danger to the public.

The court heard how Biddle attacked 17-year-old Elliot Hems-Mann in the Hunderton area of Hereford on April 11, 2007, punching him to the floor and then inflicting serious head and brain injuries by repeatedly kicking and stamping his head and face. The attack ended when nearby residents intervened and shouted at the youth to stop and paramedics were called.

Judge Andrew Geddes described the attack as an act of "incredible cowardice" and said that Biddle had inflicted an "incalculable level of suffering" on his victim.

The offender had evaded arrest for two weeks despite extensive searches, but was eventually arrested in Bromyard and was charged with the wounding offence.

Elliot Hems-Mann is still recovering from the serious head injuries and remains in hospital. Although he has made good progress in the past three months, it is not known what the full extent of Elliot's recovery will ultimately be.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Richard Rees from Hereford CID praised Elliot's family for their resilience in dealing with the aftermath of the assault and also thanked the local community in Hunderton for their support during the investigation.

He said: "Elliot Hems-Mann and his family have shown great courage and determination in dealing with the horrific injuries that resulted from this attack. I hope the conclusion of the court proceedings will provide them with further encouragement for the weeks and months ahead and aid Elliot's recovery further.

"This was a savage and entirely unprovoked assault, marked out by the extreme level of viciousness shown by the offender. Such incidents are extremely rare in Herefordshire and the local community in Hunderton must be praised for their willingness to assist with the investigation. They too must have been appalled by the level of violence shown that night and will be reassured to hear of the sentence today.

"Today's hearing should also send a clear message that police will simply not tolerate this type of behaviour on the streets of Herefordshire."