A MAN who attacked a man with a hammer while he was asleep in bed has escaped being sent to jail.

Michael Mifsud claimed his victim Peter Bailey had agreed to buy his car but crashed it and then refused to pay for the damage.

He went to Bailey's girlfriend's house and burst in and attacked Bailey as he lay in bed.

After the beating Mifsud threatened to kill him if he told anybody what had happened.

A court heard that Mifsud had tried to change his ways and now had a job and a steady girlfriend.

Mifsud, aged 18, of Diamond Street, Leigh, appeared at Bolton Crown Court for sentence. He admitted assault causing actual bodily harm to Peter Bailey.

The court heard that Mifsud began to attack Bailey, punching him and kneeing him and hitting him around the head as he lay in bed. Mifsud used the wooden handle of a claw hammer to hit Bailey and at one point left the room only to return seconds later to attack him again.

Bailey was bleeding heavily and Mifsud brought him a wet towel saying someone should get him an ambulance.

Bailey went to Wigan Infirmary where he was treated for a laceration to his head, cuts and bruises.

The court was told that Mifsud had seen his mother die in front of him and had not grieved properly.

He had joined the army but had been medically discharged because of his asthma. He managed to have some bereavement counseling while he was in the forces. Recorder Jeremy Rawkins said he was impressed by how many people, including Mifsud's girlfriend's parents, had supported him.

He imposed a 70 hours Community Punishment Order and an 18 month Community Rehabilitation Order.