A thug who subjected a west Cumbrian supermarket worker to sickening violence can today be publicly identified for the first time.

Corey Anthony Williams, 17, targeted Morrisons supermarket worker Paul Mason during the prolonged late-night attack in Cleator Moor, repeatedly knocking him to the ground and taunting him as he punched, kicked, and stamped on him.

The teenager even filmed part of his violence, and later posted the video of his blood-splattered victim on the social media website Snapchat, with the caption: "Cleansed this up... He tried giving cheek to me. Haha. So I just gave him it."

At Carlisle's Rickergate Magistrates' Court, Williams, of Melbreak Avenue, Cleator Moor, admitted an allegation of intentionally attempting to cause Mr Mason grievous bodily harm.

Though juveniles are usually allowed to retain their anonymity, District Judge Gerald Chalk lifted the restriction after an application by the News & Star. The judge described the nature of the teenager's offence as "truly exceptional."

Prosecutor Pamela Fee said the defendant's video of his violence had gone viral on social media and the defendant had been named locally on such websites.

Williams attacked Mr Mason in Ennerdale Road, Cleator Moor, at around 10.30pm, on July 30.

The defendant and two other youths had emerged from an alleyway, and Williams had then accused Mr Mason of bumping into him - and it was this claim that marked the start of terrifying ordeal that the victim then endured.

Though he had no reason to apologise, Mr Mason did say sorry for what he was said to have done in order to calm the situation.

He then tried to leave, running away, but Williams pursued him, grabbing him by the collar, pulling him to the ground, and punching him at least five times. Mr Mason managed to get to his feet and tried to run away again.

But Williams managed to trip him up, again knocking him to the ground. As Mr Mason curled into a ball to protect himself, Williams kicked him four times in the back. Once again, Mr Mason scrambled to his feet and ran off.

Williams tripped him up yet again, and this time delivered 10 punches to his face before kicking his back and then stamping on both sides of his face.

In the video shot by Williams on his mobile phone, the victim is seen rolling in agony, with blood pouring from the facial wounds he had suffered in the attack.

Williams is heard yelling abuse, and at one point crowing: "Look at all your blood you - covered in blood." He continued attacking his victim, despite his repeated pleas for mercy.

Incredibly, Mr Mason suffered only minor injuries. Prosecutors say he was extremely fortunate not to have been more seriously injured.

Police finally caught up with Williams after his video was shared many hundreds of time. After Williams entered his guilty plea, District Judge Chalk told him that he may have to send him to Carlisle Crown Court to be sentenced if he considers his powers are not adequate.

"But I need to know more about you," said the judge. He asked the Youth Offending Service to prepare a report on the defendant. The judge will consider sentencing on October 29 at the magistrates court in Workington.

As he lifted the reporting restriction, the judge said: "I do so for three reasons. Firstly, this is a truly exceptional case, both by its nature and its details.

"Secondly, Corey will be an adult by the time of sentencing and it appears to be accepted that both the local community and social media have clearly identified Corey. It strikes me as being absurd to continue the restriction."

After seeing the footage shot by Williams, one former pal said: "The video speaks for itself. He's a sick individual."

Mr Mason's colleagues at Morrisons launched a JustGiving page to help him recover for his ordeal with a weekend break away.

Donor Amanda Fox added: " You're hard working and stand far taller than the scum who did this.

"Carry on living your life; love from us all."

The case will be back before the court on October 11, but Williams, currently remanded in custody, will appear by video link.

The News & Star has chosen not to publish the video of the attack by Williams because the defendant clearly intended to humiliate his victim.