TWO teenagers have been sentenced after “callously assaulting a vulnerable man” with a knife.

Officers were called to the serious assault in George Street in Hastings just after 6pm on May 3 last year and swiftly arrested two suspects after receiving information from witnesses and the wider public.

The boys were picked out of an identification parade as being involved in the incident and CCTV evidence placed them both at the scene.

The two teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were both charged and pleaded guilty.

One boy pleaded guilty to affray and possession of a bladed article.

Yesterday, he was given a 14-month detention and training order, reduced to seven months for time served.

On release, he will also have to complete a seven-month supervision order.

The second boy, who also pleaded guilty to affray, was given an 18-month community order and must complete 140 hours of unpaid work, as well as pay £300 in costs.

Investigator Caroline Bendell said: “These two boys callously assaulted a vulnerable man and it was only through sheer luck that his injuries were not more serious.

“There is no place for violence or knife crime in our community. It is a myth that carrying a knife makes you safer - you are actually at far more risk of harm and face serious consequences if caught.

“Knives can ruin lives, and we do a huge amount of work as a force to proactively tackle knife crime in Sussex.

"This case shows we will take proactive action against those found to be carrying knives and causing harm in our community.”