A man who beat up his former girlfriend’s new partner in an Ilkley pub has been spared an immediate custodial sentence.

Linford Nicholson, 18, carried out a “disgraceful” and unprovoked attack on Richard Smith in The Yard at around midnight on June 26, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

Nicholson, of Sunset Drive, Ben Rhydding , butted Mr Smith twice before punching him in the face, prosecutor Andrew Stranex said.

Nicholson pleaded guilty at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court to assaulting Mr Smith and causing him actual bodily harm. He was committed to Bradford Crown Court for sentence. His barrister, Louise Azmi, said this was the first time he had been in trouble with the police and he was remorseful.

Recorder Bernard Gateshill, sentenced Nicholson to nine months’ detention in a young offender institution, suspended for two years, with 200 hours of unpaid work.