A teenager who was found guilty of being involved in a brutal mob attack on a 15-year-old boy in Chapelfield Gardens has been spared custody.

Norwich Evening News: Tyler Tomkinson was jailed for eight years for the attack. Photo: Norfolk ConstabularyTyler Tomkinson was jailed for eight years for the attack. Photo: Norfolk Constabulary (Image: Norfolk Constabulary.)

The victim was repeatedly during the violent attack and effectively had his ear 'severed in two' with the skin behind his ear being so lacerated as to leave a gaping wound.

Tyler Tomkinson, 18, the 'principal assailant' was given an extended 13 year sentence earlier this year after he pleaded guilty to his part in the attack.

A 15-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court on Friday (September 22) after being convicted of wounding with intent and having a bladed article following a trial in July.

The youth, who was 14 at the time of the attack also admitted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon, a pole, in relation to a robbery at Eagle Park in July 2015 when he was just 12.

In that incident two young victims were surrounded by a gang with one of them receiving a cut to the cheek from a knife.

Sentencing the youth to a three year youth rehabilitation order, Judge Katharine Moore said the public could be 'better protected' by the youth being rehabilitated rather than being sent straight into custody.

But she insisted that if the youth continued to offend in the way that he had there would be 'no option' but to impose a custodial sentence.

Judge Moore said: 'I suppose there's a part of you that still doesn't realise how serious these offences were.

'Group action with knives very often leads to death and that's why the court takes them so seriously.'

The sentence also included a three year supervision requirement, an electronically monitored curfew between 7pm and 7am for four months and a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement.

The youth was also excluded from entering any park within Norwich's outer ring road area for the length of the order.

He must also not be out in public in a group of three or more people unless with someone over 25 who is a parent, guardian or care professional.

Jude Durr, mitigating, said the defendant's offending had all the hallmarks of being a 'show off' but insisted the youth that sat in court today was 'very different' to the one he had first sought to advise many months ago.

He said he was 'older and it has to be said a little bit wiser'.