A YORK man today demanded a face-to-face meeting with magistrates who gave his teenage attacker a "slap on the wrists" for a near fatal assault on another victim.

Doug Unwin's call came as the outcry grew over a 12-month referral order handed to the Acomb youth, whose punch left Chris Gregory close to death in December.

Today Mr Unwin, another of the youth's victims, launched a scathing attack on the justice system, after his assailant walked free from court on Friday, despite admitting offences including grievous bodily harm.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a "final warning" by police for his part in an attack on Mr Unwin outside his Acomb home in October.

But two months later, Mr Gregory, 56, suffered a heart attack after being punched in the face by the same youth during a confrontation with a group outside his home in Beckfield Lane.

Mr Unwin, 57, has now written to York MP Hugh Bayley asking him to arrange a meeting with the magistrates.

"How is he (the youth) going to learn anything about his behaviour by a simple slap on the wrists?" he said. "The courts have sent a message that you can go out and indulge in violent crime, and as long as you don't kill anybody, you are fine."

He said the sentence showed that the Government was failing in its primary responsibility to provide security for its citizens.

"I live a law-abiding life. I keep my side of the bargain. I need the Government to take steps to reassure me and they have quite plainly failed," he said.

"I am not some bitter, twisted man trying to get my revenge. Both Mr Gregory and I are not that type of person. But in any sentence there has to be a deterrent."

The decision by York Youth Court to give the teenager a 12-month referral order has sparked condemnation from Mr Gregory and his family, and prompted concern from city leaders and the police.

But a senior advisor to York magistrates said a meeting between them and Mr Unwin would be "unproductive".

Gordon Lees, Justices' Clerk for North Yorkshire, said: "It is a route that we are not encouraged to go down. For every case heard in the court there is a victim."

Mr Lees said that he would pass any letters about sentencing to the relevant magistrates, who are encouraged to consider both public and legal opinion.

He said a more serious charge against the teenager of grievous bodily harm with intent was dropped by prosecutors at an earlier hearing.

The Crown Prosecution Service declined to comment.

Updated: 10:48 Wednesday, May 12, 2004