A 16th birthday bash erupted in violence after two revellers were caught in a disagreement - which lead to guests being and stabbed by an uninvited armed gang.

Jamil Bennett, aged 16 at the time, butted heads with another party-goer at the address on Kingfisher Avenue, Stockton, on February 15, 2020. He then made a phone call which resulted in the weapon-clutching group forcing their way into the property, Teesside heard on Wednesday.

The violent mob stormed the back garden gate and carnage quickly unfolded. Guests were shot with BB guns, while some revellers were stabbed with knives. said they "have a good idea" who the attackers were, but do not have sufficient evidence to charge them, the court heard.

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Bennett was found to be unaware of the violence that would follow after he made the call - and did not know that the gang, who arrived around 9.30pm, would be armed. One man said he believes the attackers mistook him for Bennett when they stabbed him in the face three times and shot him with a BB gun. The nerve in the victim's finger was severed and he has been left with permanent scars on his cheek from the .

One female victim was left needing surgery after a gun pellet became lodged in her hand amid the chaos. Further victims were shot in the arm and the face by the group, who had one member show up wielding an extendable baton.

Bennett, of Orkney Way, in Thornaby, pleaded guilty to five counts of grievous bodily harm. In mitigation, Rob Mochrie told the court Bennett tried to help police identify the attackers and that some people were interviewed, but there was no evidence. "His account is that he was trailing at the back of the mob," Mr Mochrie said. "The victim who suffered grave injuries is a close friend of Mr Bennett."

The court heard that Bennett, who has no other convictions, now has a job in telecommunications, in London. "Because of criminal records checks, he has had to notify his employer of today's hearing and his prospects now look ominous," Mr Mochrie added. "He's due to have a meeting. No doubt his employer would love to keep him on, but he fears they won't be able to. It's a double blow to him."

Judge Richard Clews said: "This was an absolutely horrific incident. The birthday party should have been a happy, joyous occasion. It turned into an absolute and complete nightmare for a number of families involved. I am told that there was a disagreement with one of the other attendees and you called at least one other, to attend. What you said to that person on the phone - nobody knows.

"The prosecution do not allege that you knew how many people would arrive, or that they would be armed and cause serious injury. Youngsters were shot with these guns and stabbed with knives. Some of the injuries are permanent. I have to consider what your culpability is. You didn't cause any injuries, but if you hadn't made that phone call the guests wouldn't have been attacked."

Bennett was handed an 18-month court order, and ordered to attend 45 rehabilitation days with the probation service. "Those principally responsible for the attacks have not been brought to justice" the judge continued, "and it would be wrong to out on you."