Two men who were part of a gang of which burst into a flat in Framlingham in the middle of the night and attacked a teenager who was asleep in bed have walked free from court after a judge decided not to send them straight to prison.

During the incident the victim was punched in the head while he tried to hide under his duvet and protected his face with his hands, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Following the attack in April 2015, the 17-year-old left his flat in College Road and walked around Framlingham for more than an hour because he was too frightened to go back, said Isobel Ascherson, prosecuting.

While he was out his attackers and and two other men went back to the flat and “trashed” it causing £1,500 damage to the teenager’s belongings.

The damage included eggs being thrown at walls, furniture being pulled over and a fire extinguisher being sprayed around the room.

Miss Ascherson said that in addition to the damage to the teenager’s belongings, Flagship Housing had to pay £370 to clean up the flat.

Before the court were Adam Cox, 22, of Ipswich Road, Woodbridge, and Ryan Cox, 22, of Edwin Avenue, Woodbridge, who admitted assault and two offences of criminal damage. Also before the court were Bobby Minter, 22, of Hawthorn Close, Saxmundham, and Liam Gillespie, 19, of Seaward Avenue, Leiston, who each admitted two offences of criminal damage.

Adam Cox was given a six month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and Ryan Cox was given a three month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

They were both ordered to do 120 hours’ unpaid work in the community.

Minter was given a three month community order and a three month curfew and Gillespie was fined £200.

All four were ordered to pay £467.50 compensation.

Sentencing them, Recorder Ian Evans said the incident arose out of a spurious allegation the teenager had taken someone’s computer.

Roger Thomson, for Ryan Cox, said he was disgusted with his behaviour.

Andrea Becker, for Adam Cox, said things had got out of hand and he felt ashamed.

Paul Donegan, for Minter and Gillespie, said alcohol and peer pressure had a significant part to play in what happened.