A Carlisle man was handed a suspended sentence for assaulting his mother's partner.

Tyler Daniel Rae, 19, of Warnell Drive, left the victim with a broken jaw, broken ribs and a swollen cheek on March 6.

Carlisle Crown Court heard that neither Rae nor his family approved of the relationship.

On the day of the attack, the victim was at Rae's mother's house. 

But when he realised Rae was about to enter the house, he went upstairs and hid in a wardrobe.

Rae found him and then subjected him to a flurry of punches – between six and eight.

The man managed to escape into the street but was punched once more before he finally got away.

Clare Thomas, defending, said: "He is perhaps a slightly immature man, driven by a sense to protect his mother. He's sorry and he does regret his actions. He has distanced himself from his mother, as she is still in a relationship with the victim."
She submitted a number of references to the court for Rae. 

Judge Peter Davies gave him a 15-month sentence in a young offenders institution, suspended for two years.

He was also given a four-month curfew.

Rae would have to be subject to 20 days of rehabilitation, do 180 hours on unpaid work and pay £100 compensation.

Judge Davies said: "That's a disgraceful assault. I'm going to give you one last chance. The people that speak on your behalf speak highly of you. If you fail in this chance, I'll activate the sentence of 15 months."