A boy's life was ruined by thugs who left him too terrified to go out alone, a court was told yesterday.

Fifteen-year-old Christopher Taylor was walking home from school in Middlesbrough when he was set upon by three older youths.

One asked him for a cigarette, and when he said he did not have any the demand became more sinister, said Sarah Mallett, prosecuting.

The youth then asked him for a ring from his finger, and when Christopher again refused, his tormentor turned to a companion and said: "Give us the knife."

He threatened to stab Christopher, punched him to the floor, repeatedly kicked him and stamped on his head until he blacked out.

When he recovered, he got to his feet and stumbled away but he was chased and caught by the first attacker, Teesside Crown Court was told.

The legacy of the attack, at The Vale, Middlesbrough was described by Judge Recorder William Lowe who said that since then the boy had been too scared to go out.

The attack happened a week before he was due to sit his GCSEs, which he needed to pass to achieve his ambition to be an apprentice mechanic.

Now he has to be taken to school and picked up.

Raymond Teasdale, 16, of Ruby Street, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to assault with an intent to rob on April 11.

Teasdale, who was already serving an 18 months detention and training order for affray imposed in May, was sentenced to another 18 months to run consecutively.