A woman was warned by a judge yesterday that she faces a jail sentence following a violent attack on an asylum seeker, which has left him brain damaged.

Louise Dobbs, 18, of Birch Tree Close, Spencerbeck, Middlesbrough, admitted assaulting Kosovan Gazim Harexhim, 30, after a prank in a crowded pub.

Teesside Crown Court was told that the attack had left Mr Harexhim with a personality change.

Dobbs changed her plea to guilty after 17-year-old Laura Allport described how the attack was sparked off when Mr Harexhim pulled her top down as she enjoyed a students' night out with friends.

The prank prompted scuffles between local men and a group of Kosovans, which spilled out on to the street outside The Royal Exchange bar, in Middlesbrough.

Mr Harexhim was felled with a punch by one of Dobbs' friends, Lee Dawson, 19. Then, as he lay on the floor, Dobbs, 18, repeatedly stamped on his head, it was alleged.

Miss Allport told the court: "The one who pulled my top down went to punch Lee, but Lee punched him and he went to the floor.

"The Kosovan tried to get back up and Louise Dobbs stamped on his head a few times. Blood started pouring from his head.

"I went over and I told her to stop. He was not moving, and I said I thought he was dead."

Later, they went to the home of 19-year-old Frances Hemsworth.

Miss Allport said: "Louise was bragging about what had gone on, and asking, 'Was it nicely done?' But later she told us to stop talking about it".

Mr Harexhim will never be fit enough to give evidence or fully recover, said Home Office pathologist, Doctor Hugh Sunter.

Dawson, whose address was not given in court, later admitted affray. He is on bail awaiting sentence.

Dobbs, a tele-canvasser, was remanded on bail for reports after she pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent on November 20. Dawson will be sentenced with her.

Judge Peter Armstrong called for an up-to-date medical report on Mr Harexhim whom he said "no doubt had some blame for what happened that night".