A teenager who was caught on camera kicking and stamping on an unconscious man's head has avoided jail because he's signed up for GCSEs.

Samuel Banks, 18, assaulted the victim after he had been knocked to the ground in a fight with another man.

CCTV cameras filmed the attack as he raised his foot and smashed it into the victim's head in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, in May.

Samuel Banks, 18, was filmed in Weston-super-Mare kicking and stamping on an unconscious man's head but yesterday avoided jail because he's signed up for GCSEs

He was handed an 18-week sentence suspended for two years because he's now taking his GCSEs.

Banks, of Malvern, Worcestershire, plead guilty to assault and was also told to complete 40 rehabilitation days, serve a 12-week curfew and pay £200 costs yesterday.

A court heard that the teenager repeatedly attacked the victim, who curled in the fetal position to try and defend himself, until he went limp.

CCTV cameras filmed the attack as he raised his foot and smashed it into the victim's head in May

The relentless assault continued even when a friend tried to stop him, only finishing when a passing police car arrived.

Magistrates at North Somerset Courthouse were told that Banks then told officers he couldn't remember the attack because he had been drunk.

A pre-sentence report said the attacker was at high risk of reoffending but had made progress since the incident - including enrolling for GCSE classes.

He had also received an offer of labour work in Birmingham and expressed remorse at the trial, saying he was a changed person.

Sentencing, chief of the bench, Lisa Lovett said: 'You have been very lucky this could have been a whole lot worse, so make sure to take the opportunity that has been given to you.'