A MOTHER sobbed "They've taken my baby" as her teenage son was detained after blinding a stranger in one eye.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named, was cuffed and taken to the cells after attacking Amreek Maan in Bournemouth's Lower Gardens on September 24 last year.

Mr Maan suffered a broken eye socket when he was punched by the Christchurch boy, who had a belt wrapped around his wrist.

On Tuesday morning, the youth appeared before a district judge at Poole Magistrates' Court to be sentenced for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The victim had been walking through the Gardens with friends at around 3am when he was attacked "without warning".

"The intention was to get food and go back to their hotels," said Lee Turner, prosecuting.

"They noticed in the distance a group of youths. There was some anxiety about it being a large group but they decided to keep to the path. Their destination was in sight.

"An Asian male then comes across, seemingly intent on causing problems.

"He first approaches [Mr Maan's] group and the victim's brother.

"Mr Maan felt he was being intimidating."

The defendant then joined his friend.

Mr Turner said: "Without warning, it's then that Mr Maan was struck in the right eye.

"It's a belt buckle wrapped around the defendant's fist that does so much damage."

Mr Maan, who lives in Finchley, London, was left "dazed and confused" after the punch and slumped against a wall.

However, the youth defendant and his friend continued "goading" the group of older men and trying to get them to fight.

The two youths were chasing Mr Maan and his friends out of the Gardens when police arrived.

Mr Turner said: "Police didn't deal with the situation [when they arrived].

"They thought Mr Maan and his group were agitated and aggressive and they soon had to deal with another incident up the road."

Mr Maan went to hospital the following day. The incident was reported again to police some days later.

The victim has undergone numerous surgeries, with more scheduled in the future. However, none have so far been successful and he still can't open his eye.

Part of his eye socket is also "missing" and cannot be repaired, the court heard.

Mr Turner said: "The effect on Mr Maan has been profound and life-changing.

"He fears he will have these problems for the rest of his life."

Mr Maan said the injury has left him with numbness to his face which causes him to "drool".

"I can't drive. I feel like I've lost my life," he said.

"I'm scared all the time."

The youth was convicted of the offence after a trial.

Ruth Reid, mitigating, said the defendant has "limited vocabulary and learning".

"He has no previous convictions, although he does have two cautions from 2014 and 2015," she said.

Neither caution is for violence.

"He would like to go on to gain further qualifications, especially in English and maths," Ms Reid added.

"He is nervous, very anxious and it has been a long time of waiting for this to be resolved.

"It is causing him a lot of anxiety and he just wants to get the matter dealt with and, in his words, 'sort himself out'."

However, District Judge Stephen Nicholls said Mr Maan suffered "very serious injuries to his eye".

"This offence is so serious only immediate custody is appropriate," he told the youth.

The defendant was sentenced to a 10-month detention and training order. After his release, he will be the subject of supervision.

He was also ordered to pay £500 in compensation.

Three guards came into the courtroom as the boy was sentenced. He kissed and hugged his weeping mother as one of the guards handcuffed him and led him towards the cells before turning and saying: "I love you, mum."