MEMBERS of a gang of drink-fuelled youths involved in a fight which left a man with a smashed eye socket and cheekbone have all been locked up.

The defendants were told by a judge they should not be in a crown court dock and had let not only themselves but their families down.

Sentencing them, Judge Barbara Watson said it was a tragedy to see them appearing before her but it was a tragedy of their making.

She said three of the four had accepted they had kicked victim John Clements, 40, when he was on the ground.

He had to have facial surgery and have two weeks off work because of his injuries.

The judge went on: "There is far too much of this mindless, anti-social behaviour by groups of youths like yourselves, acting out of character."

The judge added she found it "incomprehensible," why young men found it necessary to behave as they had.

She said it had to be marked with custodial sentences as people would only be deterred from doing similar things if they realised proper punishment would follow.

The court was told the attack happened in the Burnley area.

Leon Edmondson, 18, of Southfield Square, Nelson, and Christopher Pickles, 18, of Queen Street, Harle Syke, Burnley, were both sent to a young offenders' institution for 11 months.

Adam Lee, 17, of Marsden Fold, Nelson, was given an eight months detention and training order and Kieron Perry, 18, of Grisedale Avenue, Burnley, was sent to a young offenders' institution for eight months. All admitted affray. Edmondson also pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and Pickles admitted a second charge of affray.

The court was told violence erupted last September after a row over a mobile phone.

Mr Clements pushed Lee but the other defendants claimed he was punched rather than pushed.

Pickles, Edmondson and Perry began to kick and punch the victim who went to the ground and was kicked some more.

Kath Johnson, defending Edmondson, a student at Nelson and Colne College, said he had learned a lesson from the court proceedings.

Roger Baldwin, defending Lee, said Mr Clements had snatched the mobile phone from Lee and hit him.

Richard Hunt, defending Perry, a student at Burnley College, said the defendant was due to sit his A levels in June.

He could lead a constructive life if he avoided the demon drink and he had learned the error of his ways.

Richard Bennett, defending Pickles, said he got involved when he should not have.