An 18-year-old Warwick man must wait to learn his fate for his role in the brutal beating of a 70-year-old man.

Jamel Antoine Simons, of East Dale Lane, pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to assault causing actual bodily harm to Fredrick Gomes on May 22 this year.

The court heard how Simons, and two minors who have already been dealt with, approached the victim, who was walking near the Warwick Workman's Club on Cobb's Hill.

Simons asked the man for a cigarette, but Mr. Gomes did not appear to hear him. As the victim continued on his way, Simons began to shout at him, and then chased him into the club.

Crown counsel Wayne Caines said Mr. Gomes waited and then left the club, only to be met by a barrage of stones. Gomes ran, but could not escape as he was hit in the head with a bottle, beaten with a pipe and then kicked until he fell unconscious.

Simons and his friends then searched the victim's pockets where his money, a gold and diamond ring, and other personal effects were removed, valued at $500. Gomes was found lying in the road by members of the public.

Lawyer Peter Farge, representing Simons, asked Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves for a social inquiry report to be conducted, but the request was denied.

Crown counsel Wayne Caines suggested that a custodial sentence would be the only suitable punishment for such a harsh offence especially since it was "over a cigarette".

After lengthy mitigation, Mr. Greaves decided he was not inclined to automatically lock-up the young man, but instead ordered a probation report.

He also requested a victim impact report, heavily suggesting that he is considering ordering the unemployed Simons to pay Gomes some sort of compensation.

Before extending Simons' bail until December 27, he told the youth: "Get a job before you get back here...don't just bring some money, bring some dineros."