THE TEENAGER who wielded the Champagne bottle in the vicious assault on a Korean student walked free from court as his friend was blamed for starting racist attack.

Louis Barrett was yesterday jailed for 20 months after admitting racist harassment, and a racist common assault.

But Bradley Garrett, who smashed the bottle in Yehsung Kim’s face, breaking his teeth, was spared an immediate jail sentence. Instead he was given a two year sentence, suspended for two years.

Judge Stephen Mooney said he took into account the fact that Garrett was just 15 at the time of the attack, and blamed Barrett for sparking the incident.

Barrett was also serving a suspended sentence for a second assault at the time - earning him a longer jail term.

Judge Mooney said: “This was an unprovoked, wholly unexpected, cowardly and vicious attack

“Mr Barrett, you created the febrile atmosphere of hatred and aggression. Yours was not the significant act of violence but your actions and words created the situation.

“If you had not acted as you did, you would not be here and neither would your co-accused.

“This was the second time in two weeks you were involved in street violence.

“Mr Garrett you were 15 at the time. You were swept along by the language of your co-accused and lashed out with a bottle causing most unpleasant injuries.

“You find yourself in what some may regard a fortunate position today.

“Be under no illusion, if I see you again, for breach of your suspended sentence or new offences you will be going directly to prison.”

Barrett, now 19, of Temple Grove, Burgess Hill, admitted racist harassment and racist common assault.

Garrett, now 18, of Pierces Lane, Haywards Heath, admitted attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm.

University of Sussex student Mr Kim was confronted by the teenagers in North Street, Brighton on October 15, 2017.

Barrett shouted racist abuse and made racist gestures with his eyes.

Video footage showed the moment Garrett lunged forward and smashed a bottle into Mr Kim’s face.

It left him needing dental surgery worth more than £2,000.

Mr Kim, who has now returned to South Korea said he still suffers from nightmares as a result of the attack.

He said: “I still struggle mentally and emotionally. I sometimes dream about it repeatedly. When I finally wake up it is distressing.

“Before I left the UK I saw Louis Barrett in Pryzm nightclub. This was the last time where he could have said sorry. He did not, he laughed at me.”