A STUDENT at Tonbridge's K College has avoided jail for a vicious attack – after pleading with magistrates not to separate him from his son.

Oliver Lynch, 21, of London Road, Riverhead, wrote a begging letter to the court asking not to be sent to prison, saying he wanted to use his liberty positively to become a "good role model" for the youngster.

Lynch had admitted assaulting a council worker outside the Oak Tree pub in Sevenoaks in October.

Thomas Ferdinando, 20, of Surrey, had a bust-up in the pub when he was teased about his stammer.

The row spilled on to the street and Mr Ferdinando and his friends were then confronted by a gang of men, including Lynch.

The man who made the original comment had apologised to Mr Ferdinando but, soon afterwards, Mr Lynch, in his words "in a drunken moment of madness", punched Mr Ferdinando to the floor.

He admitted delivering the blow that sent Mr Ferdinando toppling into a brick wall. Mr Ferdinando suffered a bleed on his brain and a blood clot.

Before magistrates in Sevenoaks retired to consider their verdict on Friday, Lynch asked for his letter to be read out.

It said: "I am sorry for the shame I have brought upon myself, my family, and the community.

"It would be catastrophic if I was not able to care for my son while my fiancée is studying at university.

"Thinking about what I did makes me sick to my stomach, and I want to be a good role model for my son."

Lynch was given a 180-day prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay his victim £1,500.

He was given a 7.30pm-to-7am curfew for the duration of the sentence and must attend anger management sessions.

Passing sentence, chairman of the bench Pat Mayer said: "This was undoubtedly a vicious attack, probably fuelled by the amount of alcohol you had consumed.

"But, as you only have one previous conviction as a youth, have shown extreme remorse for your actions, and you also pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity, we will suspend your sentence for two years."