The victim of a vicious street attack has spoken of his relief that both teenage assailants have admitted their thuggery.

Dad-of-two and engineer Stephen Swallow (43) needed facial reconstruction surgery after the attack in Lincoln city centre on June 28.

Darren Wheeler (19), of St Rumbold's Street, Lincoln, and a 17-year-old boy are to be sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on November 21.

The youth admitted one charge of grievous bodily harm with intent at an earlier hearing.

Wheeler yesterday changed his initial plea to the same charge from not guilty to guilty.

Speaking after the brief hearing before Judge John Machin at the crown court, Mr Swallow said: "I am pleased that Wheeler has finally decided to admit it.

"Having guilty pleas from both of them means that it's going to bring some closure to it all."

Wheeler and the youth were remanded in custody.

For more on the case, including Wheeler's criminal past, see Saturday's Echo.