A TEENAGER who was one of a gang of four youths who attacked and stabbed a Wellington man in the head has avoided custody for a second time in 12 weeks after a separate attack.

Montie Budge, aged 18, of Fletcher Close, Taunton, was handed 14 months in custody when he appeared at the end of July in Taunton Crown Court for sentencing for the knife attack.

But, Judge Richard Shepherd suspended the sentence for two years.

Budge had admitted possessing a knife in a public place and wounding with intent in the Wellington attack, which happened three years ago on Roly Poly Green, near Alexandra Road, when he was still only 15 years old.

He appeared again in Taunton Deane Magistrates Court on Monday (October 26) with co-defendant Charlie Stickley, aged 19, of Goji Place, Bridgwater.

The pair, who were represented by solicitor Sam White, admitted jointly attacking a man in Taunton and assaulting him by beating on March 28 this year.

The assault happened just a month before Budge was due to make his first court appearance in connection with the 2023 stabbing offence.

Details of the offence were given to the court by prosecuting solicitor Emma Lenaton.

District Judge Angela Brereton, sitting in the magistrates court, sentenced Budge to 16 weeks in custody in a youth offenders institute, but suspended the order for 18 months.

She also ordered Budge to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work supervised by the probation service and to pay £500 compensation to his victim.

Judge Brereton sentenced Stickley to 10 weeks in custody in a youth offenders institute, but suspended the order for 15 months.

Stickley was similarly also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work supervised by the probation service and to pay £500 compensation to his victim.