A COUNCILLOR suffered nightmares after he was beaten up in the street for reprimanding a group of youths for anti-social behaviour, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Baildon Town Councillor Ian Lyons stood down from public life and was moving house after the attack outside his home in the village's Cliffe Avenue, on Sunday, April 20.

Nathaniel Rhodes, 20, of Kingsley Crescent, Baildon, and a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named because of his age, were yesterday spared immediate custodial sentences after admitting causing Cllr Lyons actual bodily harm.

The court was told that Cllr Lyons was driving along the street with his fiancee, Rebecca Halstead, when he heard a bang and thought something had hit the car.

He got out of the vehicle and challenged the youth, accusing him of throwing eggs at his window.

Cllr Lyons raised his hands and told the group to "get back."

He was then assaulted and a "barrage of punches and kicks" rained on him as he lay on he ground.

He suffered facial injuries, including a blooded nose, cuts and bruising.

Rhodes, who ripped the car wing mirror off, also admitted criminal damage.

The court heard there was ill-will between the group and Cllr Lyons after Rhodes' motor scooter was seized by the police.

He blamed the councillor for being responsibly for loss of the bike and called him "a snitch" on Facebook, it was alleged.

A victim personal statement from Cllr Lyons said he had suffered nightmares about being attacked.

His eyes were injured, causing blurred vision that affected his employment as an HGV driver.

He had withdrawn from public life and was in the process of moving house.

Giles Bridge, barrister for the youth, said he was 16 at the time and no longer associated with his former friends.

He is now living with his grandmother who was helping to ensure his life was back on track.

Peter Hampden, for Rhodes, handed in positive references and said it was a "glowing" probation report.

Rhodes, who was in work, was not the prime mover in the offence," he said.

"There is no advantage to anyone in sending this young man to custody," Mr Hampden said.

Judge Colin Burn said it was fortunate that Cllr Lyons' "unpleasant and shocking injuries" were not worse.

"He has moved away, wholly or partly because of this," he said.

The 17-year-old was sentenced to a 12 month Youth Rehabilitation Order, with a six month electronically monitored curfew order.

Rhodes was sentenced to four months in a young offender institution, suspended for 18 months, with 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was ordered to pay £60 compensation for damage to Cllr Lyons' car.

Speaking after the hearing, Cllr Lyons said he was not surprised by the sentencing in a society "of second chances."

“Most people learn that you can't resolve your problems with violence at an early age, and I hope the judge is right and they can be trusted to live in our community without resorting to violence again," he added.

“Personally, I have chosen to accept what happened and move on peacefully from this, and I feel much better as a result. I recommend others do the same."