Carlsbad

An 18-year-old senior at San Dieguito High School was sentenced Friday to 15 days on a work project and 250 hours of community service, making him the sixth current or former athlete from the school to be sentenced for a string of beatings in North County.

The La Costa resident, a star running back on the San Dieguito football team, had pleaded guilty to beating a Leucadia man in his driveway on June 25. Because he was 17 at the time of the beating, he was sentenced in Juvenile Court by Judge Norbert Ehrenfreund.

The work project may involve picking up litter along a freeway or helping clear clogged lagoons. The community service will be for a charitable or social agency selected by the Probation Department.

The defendant’s father apologized to the victim and said steps have already been taken to see that his son receives counseling.

“This boy has never been any problem at all,” said the father, his voice quavering. “He’s never shown defiance to authority. This is not the boy I know. This is out of character for him.”

Ehrenfreund also ordered the youth to pay $1,000 restitution to the victim, avoid parties where drugs or alcohol are present, and submit to periodic testing for steroids. Prosecutors had sought a three-day sentence in Juvenile Hall.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Bob Amador described the June 25 attack as “a feeding frenzy” in which several of the athletes took turns pummeling the hapless victims. It began with a dispute over a loud party.

Three other juveniles have received similar sentences to that meted out Friday, with one more to be sentenced Jan. 15. Two former wrestlers tried as adults in Vista Municipal Court have been convicted and sentenced to jail sentences of 15 and 45 days.

“All members of our community have a right to live their lives and walk the street day or night free from fear of violence,” Ehrenfreund lectured the youth. “I hope this is the last time you get in trouble with the law.”