Lout broke victim’s jaw in three places ... and said ‘thank you’ as judge freed him

ATTACKER Thomas Younger entered court carrying a holdall in anticipation of starting an immediate prison term for brutal assault.

But Younger grinned and said ‘thank you’ to Recorder Andrew Dallas, after being given a suspended sentence.

He left his victim Tony Rutherford with life-changing injuries after breaking his jaw in three places.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that without warning Younger, 28, hit Mr Rutherford, 36, in the face outside a city centre bar in January this year.

The victim was left needing plates screwed into his shattered jaw following the motiveless attack. Despite surgery, his teeth were left permanently unaligned and he can no longer bite correctly or smile properly.

Younger, from Newcastle, had 38 previous convictions.

He pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm without intent, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in jail.

But Judge Dallas instead gave him a suspended 12month jail term, and ordered 200 hours of unpaid work.

The tattooed lout gave a Daily Mail reporter a two-fingered salute, above, as he left the court building with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.