A Hampshire teenager today pleaded guilty to his part in an attack which put a man in a coma after he asked a group of youths to stop making noise outside his flat.

Brandon Fisher, 19, of Old Road, Gosport,  admitted unlawful wounding at Portsmouth Crown Court on the basis that he had a subordinate role in the vicious assault on Andrew Toseland, who will require care for the rest of his life, and cannot walk.

Warehouseman Mr Toseland, 49, and his brother Robert were attacked by Fisher and another man, Samuel Armstrong, also 19, after he had gone to ask them not to be so noisy outside his flat in Forton Road, Gosport.

The court heard that Fisher did not attack Andrew Toseland but held back his brother Robert while Armstrong, also from Gosport, assaulted him. Fisher told Armstrong to stop when he realised that the assault was so severe, the court was told.

The beating on August 25 last year left Mr Toseland in a coma in hospital. He is now in a care home.

Armstrong admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent on Andrew Toseland and actual bodily harm on Robert Toseland at an earlier hearing.

Fisher was remanded in custody and the case adjourned for reports. Both men will be sentenced on September 3.