Two CedarBridge students yesterday admitted joining forces to launch an attack on a fellow student.

Garrow T. Lightbourne, of Spanish Crescent, Smith's Parish, and Jermaine C.

Philpott, of Frog Lane, Devonshire, both pleaded guilty in Magistrates' Court to causing bodily harm to Victor Antoine Roach.

All of the youths are aged 17.

Prosecutor Sgt. Philip Taylor told the court that Victor Roach arrived in Hamilton by bus in the early afternoon of March 21 this year to see a movie.

At the Bus Terminal, he was approached by Lightbourne and questioned about a criminal case in which Roach and Philpott are currently involved.

Lightbourne then snatched Roach's spectacles off his face and demanded they both go to Philpott's home. And he refused to return the spectacles until they arrived at the Frog Lane residence.

Sgt. Taylor said Lightbourne also called Philpott on the telephone to tell him that he and Roach were on their way.

At Frog Lane, Philpott emerged from his house carrying a metal pipe and accused Roach of lying to the authorities about their court case.

Lightbourne then punched Roach in the face and knocked him to the ground.

Philpott then kicked Roach repeatedly while on the ground and punched him in the face as he held Roach in a headlock.

The assault eventually stopped when Philpott's uncle arrived.

Roach was later taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where he was treated for bruises to his jaw.

Magistrate Arthur Hodgson ordered a social inquiry report be conducted and released Lightbourne and Philpott on bail of $500 each with a like surety. The two are scheduled to return to court for sentencing on May 27 when the report is due.

But as the two boys were leaving, Roach's lawyer Victoria Pearman requested that Mr. Hodgson issue a warning.

"He (Lightbourne) just threatened my client in the precincts of the court,'' Ms Pearman said.

Mr. Hodgson told the pair any contact, directly or indirectly, with Roach could lead to their being remanded in custody.

"I have a lot tougher rules here than at CedarBridge or anywhere else,'' said Mr. Hodgson. "This is not CedarBridge.''