A DRUNKEN college student who smashed a fellow student's jaw, putting paid to his promising rugby care-er, is behind bars for 10 months.

The 16-year-old, who had earlier been dragged out of the college canteen after a confrontation with another youth, was said to have attacked his 17-year-old victim because he laughed at him as he was in tears outside.

He had little or no recollection of what he had done, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The victim had to have surgery, two teeth were removed, was unable to eat and now would never play rugby again.

The defendant, who lives in Barnoldswick, and is now a labourer, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm last September and had been committed for sentence by magistrates.

Sending him to Young Offenders' Institute, Recorder Andrew Nuttall slammed his behaviour as disgraceful.

Francis McEntee, prosecuting, told the court that the defendant caused a disturbance in the canteen of the college, which is outside East Lancashire, and was described as being hysterical, hyperactive and bouncing around.

The victim and his friends came across the defendant outside. The defendant was crying and asked the victim: "What are you looking at ?"

Mr McEntee said the defendant hit the 17-year-old in the throat but the victim, who was twice his size, said he wasn't going to hit him as it would have been like striking his little brother.

The defendant then punched the victim in the face, breaking his jaw. He had an operation to insert a titanium plate and hold his jaw together.

Mr Martin Hackett, defending, said the 16 year old should not be considered dangerous. He had been stupid.