A STUDENT has had to have his face rebuilt after being savagely attacked outside a nightclub, a court heard yesterday.

Lewis McGarrity suffered extensive fractures to his nose, cheekbone, eye socket and palate, and continues to have pain.

The victim says in a statement that he is now self-conscious about his face and no longer feels able to go to college.

His attackers, Kelham Hindmarsh and Phillip Dodgson avoided prison when they appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

The pair admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and were given suspended jail sentences with four-month night-time curfews.

Street cameras captured the assault during which Mr McGarrity was repeatedly punched by Hindmarsh and kicked by both men.

Judge Tony Briggs described the late-night incident in Middlesbrough town centre in May as "nasty" and fuelled by drink.

Dodgson's barrister, Brian Russell, said he had downed a "monstrous" amount of booze and was shocked by what he did.

Jennifer Coxon, for former Royal Navy seaman Hindmarsh, told Judge Briggs: "He just can't imagine doing what he did."

The court heard how the victim has very little recollection of the attack, and there had been fears for his eyesight after the incident.

Miss Coxon said of Hindmarsh: "He is extremely remorseful for what happened that night. He describes it as absolutely disgusting."

Dodgson, of Master Road, Thornaby, near Stockton, was given 12 months, suspended for two years, with probation supervision.

Hindmarsh, of Mansfield Drive, Thornaby, received eight months suspended for two years, with 100 hours of unpaid work.