A DRUNKEN teenager who head-butted a disabled man and demanded his mobile phone was warned he narrowly escaped a prison sentence.

Alexander Rarity, 18, of Webbs Way, Bournemouth, attacked disabled Peter Singer as he returned home with friends from Linwood Youth Club in Alma Road, Bournemouth.

Judge Wiggs, sitting at Bournemouth Crown Court, heard that Rarity demanded money from Mr Singer as he walked down Bennett Road and asked if he had a mobile phone.

Rarity head-butted Mr Singer and punched him in the eye while continuing to demand money.

The victim tried to run away but had to abandon the attempt because of his heart condition.

Police were called and Rarity made off but encountered a second victim, Stuart Alexander, who was walking in the direction of Charminster.

Rarity asked Mr Alexander if he had a mobile phone and then threatened to head-butt him.

Mr Alexander managed to alert police who were just up the road dealing with the first incident and Rarity was arrested.

Rarity pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted robbery.

Rarity told police he had drunk a quarter of a bottle of vodka and a can of Stella Artois lager prior to the incidents and described himself as "cheery and bright".

Rarity could not explain why he asked for money and a mobile phone, telling police he had his own.

Rarity had been thrown out of his father's house and given up his job at McDonald's shortly before the incidents occurred.

Judge Samuel Wiggs gave Rarity a 12-month suspended prison sentence and ordered him to pay £200 compensation to each of the victims.

Rarity was also ordered to be electronically tagged and subject to a curfew between 9pm and 7am.

First published: September 5