A TEENAGER who assaulted a man recovering from leukaemia has been given six months to prove he has turned his life around.
Ben Williams, 18, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to assaulting Josh Tucker in an Exeter takeaway on March 5.
He had also been found guilty following a trial of attempting to break into a shed in Hill Barton Lane, with another, on May 26 last year, failing to surrender to police bail on March 1, and stealing a wine-making kit and headphones worth £12.99 from TK Maxx on March 16.
At Exeter Magistrates court, Karen Ball, prosecuting, said: "The attempted burglary took place last May. Williams with was with another youth and one was seen pulling at the windows and doors of a shed in a garden in Hill Barton Lane.
"They were disturbed and the two ran off. Police located them and they were arrested.
"Williams admitted that he had been in the garden but denied that he had tried to get into any sheds.
"With regard to the assault, the victim and his girlfriend had gone to get some takeaway food in Exeter. Williams was with a friend who used an abusive term to the victim twice.
"Williams told the man that his friend 'wanted to fight him' and the friend approached, punching him three times. Williams then pushed past and also punched him.
"The victim suffered a number of minor injuries.
In his victim impact statement, Mr Tucker said: "The incident was totally unprovoked. I have had leukaemia but been in remission for three years – since the attack I have had to be checked out several times because of my illness and its effect. The assault has left me very scared."
Mrs Ball said: "When asked about the assault, Williams told police that he had been drunk and had panicked."
Jeremy Tricks, defending, said: "Williams was not the main protagonist in the attempted burglary or the assault.
"He has some complex problems and he is brutally honest about these. He has been in care since he was 15 and, in the company of others, he gets drunk.
"He is currently living at the Amber Foundation and wants to stay there for two years. His self-esteem has approved and I urge the court to defer sentencing him today to see what progress he can make with the charity."
Magistrates agreed and decided to defer sentencing for six months on the condition that he remains at the Amber Project and continues to make good progress. Sentencing will now take place on October 25.