A TEENAGER dressed in the cult style of a Goth was egged over the head during an attack in a Littleport street. Eighteen-year-old Daniel Collins was walking his girlfriend to the railway station, when an egg was smashed over his head, and he was pushed

A TEENAGER dressed in the cult style of a Goth was "egged" over the head during an attack in a Littleport street.

Eighteen-year-old Daniel Collins was walking his girlfriend to the railway station, when an egg was smashed over his head, and he was pushed by an unemployed youngster.

At Ely Youth Court on Thursday, a 17-year-old admitted assaulting Mr Collins in Church Lane on August 19.

"Daniel Collins saw two boys, he has had many problems of abuse from them in the past," said prosecutor Delia Matthews.

One boy shouted his name, and the 17-year-old ran towards Mr Collins, hitting him over the head with an egg, causing pain. The teenager - who cannot be named for legal reasons - then took his jacket off, and pushed his victim, said Mrs Matthews.

In a statement to the police, Mr Collins said: "This is not the first incident of this sort of behaviour. I dress as a Goth and do not mix with the local youths, who I would describe as horrible people."

The 17-year-old told police that he had egged Daniel Collins after being given "a look" that he did not like.

Mitigating, Adam Haselhurst said: "My client says he was hit by the complainant, so he threw an egg at him.

"He feels he was provoked, he should not have reacted to it, but he did. This is at the lower end of the scale, as far as common assault is concerned."

Speaking directly to the magistrates, the youth said: "He gave me a dirty look, I asked him why, and he started to mouth back at me. I walked towards him, and he punched me in the face."

The youngster was given a 12-hour attendance centre order.

*An application to have the 17-year-old issued with an anti-social behaviour order is being opposed, and is due to be heard by Cambridge youth court next month.