A thug who attacked a schoolboy in broad daylight and left him with a broken jaw is facing a potential prison sentence.

Tyevon Bean, 20, pleaded guilty at Magistrates' Court to causing grievous bodily harm to 16-year-old Jarrett Carlington.

Prosecutor Maria Sofianos told the court that Mr. Carlington, a student at the Berkeley Institute, was walking along Wesley Street in Hamilton around 4.50 p.m on November 23 when Bean and an accomplice struck.

The accomplice, who was not before the court, put the schoolboy in a headlock, while Bean said: "What's in your pockets?".

A struggle ensued, during which Bean punched Mr. Carlington twice with a closed fist before tripping him to the ground. At this point, members of the public intervened and halted the attack.

The victim was taken to hospital where he was found to have suffered a broken jaw. He underwent surgery and had to have his jaw wired shut for several weeks while it healed.

Bean who is unemployed and lives with his mother admitted to Police that he was present during the incident, but declined to answer questions. He also faced a second charge of attempted robbery, which he denied. Ms Sofianos offered no evidence on that charge.

She told the court that Bean has already pleaded guilty to a robbery carried out on a different occasion, and is due to be sentenced on February 3. He was due on trial earlier this month for two assaults allegedly committed in October 2007, but failed to turn up at court. He has a previous conviction for sexual assault.

Ms Sofianos asked that sentencing for the attack on Mr. Carlington be adjourned until the February court date, so a "victim impact statement" can be obtained from Mr. Carlington and a social inquiry report be completed on Bean.

Duty defence counsel Larry Mussenden acknowledged that this was "a particularly sad case," but said that the idea of carrying out the attack was that of the accomplice, not Bean. He added that Bean, of Hidden Valley, St. George's, is remorseful for his actions and wished to be granted bail until his sentence date.

Ms Sofianos opposed this, pointing out: "This is a serious offence which appears to have been committed while he was on bail for at least one of these other matters. He's obviously a threat to the community. This offence is punishable with imprisonment."

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo remanded Bean into custody until February 3 when he will be sentenced for both matters.