TWO teenagers from Selby took a party drug and beat their friend so badly that his mother did not recognise him, York Crown Court heard.

Tamara Pawson, prosecuting, told the court Thomas Joseph Whitehead and Nathan Grimshaw punched soldier Liam McHugh in the face when all three went out for a breath of fresh air, after staying up all night at Whitehead’s home.

Then the two attackers joked with his girlfriend on the phone about what they had done as well as apologising for it.

She contacted Mr McHugh’s mother who found the three men together and did not initially recognise her son because his face was so swollen and he was covered in blood.

His jaw was broken and it was seven weeks before he could resume full military duties. Witnesses described all three as being high on something.

Judge Stephen Ashurst, the Recorder of York told Whitehead and Grimshaw: “If ever there was a case that demonstrates the dangers of dabbling in illegal drugs, this is it. The evidence is clear. All three for reasons best known to the three of you decided to take m-cat that night together with alcohol.”

Stockhand Whitehead, 19, of a farm near Carlton, and IT apprentice Grimshaw, 18, of East Cowick, both admitted causing grievous bodily harm in the attack on July 7, last year, and were given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years on condition they each do 250 hours’ unpaid work.

Each must pay Mr McHugh, who is no longer their friend, £1,250 in compensation in the next 12 months.

Both nodded strongly when the judge said: “I am more confident in this case than in many that this will be your one and only appearance in court.”

He had earlier said they had acted out of character and were remorseful.