A teenager who broke his friend's jaw, causing him to have metal plates and screws put in his mouth, has escaped jail.

Banbury Youth Court heard the 16-year-old from Bicester thumped his friend in the face in March, believing he had made derogatory remarks about his girlfriend.

Carolyn Oakley, prosecuting, said: "The victim needed an operation to fit three metal plates and four screws in his jaw. The wisdom teeth had to be removed."

But Shirley Selby, defending, said the boy's problems stemmed from a difficult relationship with his father.

She said the lad had regularly witnessed his father being violent towards his mother and had anger management issues.

She added he had tried to commit suicide during a previous spell in custody and sending him to jail again would put him at serious risk of harm.

Ms Selby said: "He is extremely uneasy at the thought of going into custody. He has been, frankly, terrified."

The 16-year-old was found guilty of wounding during an earlier trial.

Sentencing him to a three-month electronic curfew, a two-year supervision order and a 90-day Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme on Thursday, chairman of the magistrates Bernard Smith said: "The injury you caused was very serious. That's certainly going to have long-term damage to this young man.

"We are giving you an opportunity to show what you have said - that you are able to turn the corner with help. If you come back to court having breached this order you better bring all your clothing and a toothbrush because you will almost certainly go to prison."

The teenager was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to his victim and £100 costs.