A TEENAGER who slashed a Rossendale schoolboy with an horrific home-made weapon has kept his freedom.

Burnley Crown Court heard how would-be soldier Kirk Herbert, 19, put together the double-bladed four pointed knife because he was bored. His victim, a 13-year-old friend of the family, was left bleeding profusely after Herbert was said to have struck him in horseplay.

Herbert's behaviour was slammed as grossly irresponsible and reckless by a judge.

Judge Stuart Baker said if the defendant had deliberately cut his victim he would be going immediately to detention. The 13-year-old's family had been benevolent and had not wanted him prosecuted.

Herbert, of Clarence Street, Shawclough, admitted unlawful wounding, in January. He was given 100 hours community punishment and two years community rehabilitation, with £154 costs and £326 compensation.

Tim Brennand, prosecuting, told the court the victim, who lived in Whitworth, was with family members when the defendant produced the weapon. The 13-year-old said: "You are not going to use that, are you?" and Herbert walked away.

The schoolboy then felt his trousers rip and pulled the leg up to find he had suffered two gashes, of five and nine centimetres long. The wounds were bleeding profusely, Herbert immediately apologised and the 13-year-old was taken to hospital. He had since made a full recovery.

Mr Brennand said the defendant was arrested and said he had made the weapon because he was bored. The victim's family had acepted it was horseplay that got out of hand and did not want Herbert prosecuted.

Richard English, defending, said Herbert handed himself in to police. He had a sad personal background and no longer had contact with his mother. At the time Herbert was working on night shifts and his mother would lock him in the house until early evening. He had no books, no computer and nothing to fill his time and consider what he might do to impress his friends. That was how he came to be armed with such a fearsome weapon.

Mr English said the defendant worked hard and hoped to join the Army.