A PUBLIC schoolboy who admitted giving a savage beating to a friend which left him fighting for his life was spared jail yesterday.

James Slade, 18, who pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Lloyd Pickering, 18, on their final night at Durham School, was sentenced to 240 hours community service.

Ordering him to pay £5,000 compensation and imposing a curfew from 8pm to 6am for four months, Chester-le-Street magistrates said he had only avoided jail because of his remorse, previous good character and co-operation.

The court was told the attack happened at an end-of-term barbecue last July, as several seniors carried out dormitory checks.

Ian Walker, prosecuting, said Mr Pickering described a sudden blow to his right side and being pushed to the ground.

He said: "Slade was seen kicking Pickering in the stomach and then six more times with force. The attack ended as suddenly as it started, with Slade walking away."

The court was told Mr Pickering returned to the barbecue but was taken to hospital by ambulance when he started to feel ill. He was discharged but later collapsed. It was then that a scan revealed a damaged spleen, which had to be removed.

Mr Pickering must take penicillin for the rest of his life because his body is now unable to cope with infection.

Slade told police he overreacted with a "savage attack" when someone had kicked a sore knee.

Robin Paton, mitigating, described Slade as someone of "impeccable character" whose whole future had been blighted by a "moment of madness".