A PUBLIC schoolboy who admitted giving a savage beating to a friend, which left him fighting for his life, has narrowly escaped jail.

James Slade, 18, who pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Lloyd Pickering, 18, on their final night at Durham School, was sentenced on Monday to complete 240 hours community service.

Ordering him to pay £5,000 compensation and imposing a curfew from 8pm-6am for four months, Chester-le-Street magistrates said he had only avoided jail because of his remorse, previous good character and co-operation.

The court was told the attack happened at the end of a term barbecue on July 6 last year, as several seniors carried out dormitory checks.

Ian Walker, prosecuting, said the victim described a sudden blow to his right side and being pushed to the ground.

He said: "This was immediately followed by Pickering being attacked with fists and feet in a very fast repetitive manner.

"Slade was seen kicking Pickering in the stomach and then six more times with force. The attack ended as suddenly as it started, with Slade walking away."

The court was told Mr Pickering returned to the bonfire but was taken to hospital by ambulance when he started to feel ill. He was discharged but later had to return after collapsing. It was then that a CT scan revealed a damaged spleen, which had to be removed in an emergency operation.

Mr Pickering has to take penicillin for the rest of his life, because his body is unable to cope with infection after losing the spleen.

Slade told police he overreacted with a 'savage attack' when someone had kicked a sore knee.

Robin Paton, mitigating, described Slade as someone of 'impeccable character' whose whole future had been blighted by a 'moment of madness'.

After the hearing the victim's father Frank Pickering said his son had now gone to university to do an IT degree and was getting on with his life.

He added: "I feel sorry for Mrs Slade. She has been very helpful."