AN 18 and 17-year-old from Kidderminster were told they face prison after being found guilty of assault and compared to "a pack of animals".

Thomas Spiwaczuk, 18 and a 17-year-old - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - were found guilty of actual bodily harm by Kidderminster magistrates.

The violence used against Kidderminster resident, John Hiorns was "wholly disproportionate", chairman of the bench, Peter Handley, said.

He added: "We consider that your offences are so serious that you may go to prison."

The court heard how Mr Hiorns had been driving his white Ford Escort car on July 22 last year when a tangerine was thrown at the vehicle.

He dropped off his passengers, including his girlfriend, and drove to the junction of Hume and Franchise Street.

Mr Hiorns told the court he "wanted to go and have a word" with the pair.

Asked why, he said: "Because I had known them for some time and I thought that we could sort it out - our problems."

He accused the 17-year-old of breaking into his car. The youth then "hit me in the face with his right fist" and Spiwaczuk, of Lower Parklands, then hit him in the back of the head.

He told the court he suffered two black eyes and was told by staff at the Minor Injuries Unit at Kidderminster Hospital that he had broken his nose. He said he also suffered a broken tooth cap.

Alan Bull, for the defence, said Mr Spiwaczuk intervened after seeing that Mr Hiorns "had the better" of the 17-year-old. He alleged to Mr Hiorns that "you started everything".

Mr Spiwaczuk said one of the group threw the tangerine. He and the youth were involved in the fight to protect one another, he said.

Patrick Sullivan, prosecuting, said: "You acted like a pack of animals and you beat him up - that is true, isn't it?" He denied the accusation.

"My purpose was clearly just to help a friend in need," the 17-year-old later told the court.

Holman Street resident, Stuart Lancett, said he chased the group away with other neighbours after seeing Mr Hiorns "all over the place".

The two defendants will be sentenced by magistrates on May 5.