A TEENAGER who beat up a rival after a long-standing grudge over a pool game was spared jail yesterday.

Dominic Boiston, 19, left Gary McCormick badly bruised after the attack in Sunderland on October 6.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the assault was the climax to more than a year of "bad blood" between the pair, following the game in a pub in summer 2001. Mr McCormick was kicked and punched.

Boiston, a production worker, of Gladstone Street, Roker, pleaded guilty to assault. He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £750 compensation plus £250 costs.

Judge David Wood said Mr McCormick was lucky to escape without serious injury