SENTENCES totalling more than 56 years were imposed on 26 white rioters by a judge who told them they had left a "community scarred and battered" by their actions.

Recorder of Preston Judge Peter Openshaw QC said the disturbances which rocked Burnley last summer had "damaged the whole fabric of the community".

He added: "All sections of the public have been caused to fear for their safety. Their confidence and security have been undermined.

"The sentences passed for these outrages must mark public disgust at what has happened on their streets.

"A clear message must go out that anyone who targets vulnerable minorities will receive punishment."

Twenty-five of those who appeared in the dock at Preston Crown Court had pleaded guilty to violent disorder, with seven also admitting burglary and one racially aggravated criminal damage, in what Judge Openshaw said were offences which deliberately targeted the Asian community and the police.

The ages of the defendants ranged from 15 to 43 and the sentences from five years down to six months. There are a further 42 people charged in connection with the disturbances who will be dealt with in the next few months.

Judge Openshaw said the trouble in Burnley, which one police officer described as worse than Belfast, began outside the Baltic Fleet pub in Briercliffe Road on Sunday, June 24 where a group of about 20-30 white men were drinking and chanting racist abuse.

Two Asian taxi drivers were attacked before some of the group moved to the White Hart pub in Church Street where the windows of an Asian restaurant were smashed and a taxi business raided. Police clashed with the group outside the Turf pub in Yorkshire Street after troublemakers began throwing bottles and stones at officers sent in to quell the trouble.

Judge Openshaw dismissed suggestions that the trouble only started after the police closed in on the mob and said the risk to public safety would have been far greater if the police had not intervened.

Violence worsened after some moved on to Oxford Road where two Asian shops were burgled and set on fire with the families trapped inside. The Duke of York pub was later set on fire and destroyed.

After the court case the Police Commander throughout the duration of the disturbances Superintendent Chris Weigh said: "We would welcome the sentences that have been given our at Preston Crown Court and they reflect the seriousness of what was being committed.

"We dealt firmly with those people that needed to be and it is nice to see that the courts have continued to deal a firm harsh line which should set an example to people who think this sort of behaviour is justified."

Lord Tony Clarke, who led the Task Force inquiry into the disturbances, said: "It would be inappropriate to comment on the sentencing because it is a matter for the judiciary.

"I just hope that the future is brighter for Burnley if this points to people learning lessons."

Burnley Council leader Coun Stuart Caddy declined to comment until all of the court cases surrounding the disturbances had been concluded.

The full list of those sentenced is as follows:

Dale Fallows, 23, of Hilary Street, five years; Anthony Robinson, 26, of Shackleton Street, five years; Ryan Grimshaw, 20, of Manchester Road, four years in a young offenders institute; Nicholas Macro, 23, of Morse Street, four years; Mark Beckett, 21, of Florence Avenue, four years; Andrew Porter, 35, of Parliament Street, three years; Paul Duckworth, 40, of Marlborough Street, three years; Christopher Bowden, 35, of Melrose Avenue, two-and-a-half years; William McRandle, of Rennie Street, two-and-a-half years; Anthony Bithell, 43, of Peart Street, two-and-a-half years; Phillip Kirby, 39, of Slaidburn Avenue, two-and-a-half years; Patrick Brogan, 32, of Windermere Avenue, two years; Darren Hall, 31, of Eastham Street, two years; Liam Burns, 19, of Lydgate, two years in a young offenders institute; Adrian Porter, 37, of Emily Street, 18 months; Paul Hodges, 22, 18 months; Edward McMahon, 30, of Wycoller Avenue, 18 months; Jamie Southern, 27, of Leyland Avenue, 18 months; David Telford, 19, of Dall Street, 18 months in a young offenders institute; Dale Gray, 33, of Morse Street, one year; Martin Quigley, 26, of Duke Street, nine months; Carl Stoiles, 20, of Parliament Street, six months in a young offenders institute.

All the above, all from Burnley pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Fallows, Robinson, Grimshaw, Macro and Beckett also admitted burglary along with three juveniles who admitted violent disorder and burglary but who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

A further defendant, Michelle Bruce, 34, of Union Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated criminal damage and was jailed for six months.

JAMIE SOUTHERN

18 months

MARTIN QUIGLEY

Nine months

CARL STOILES

Six months

ANDREW PORTER

Three years

PHILLIP KIRKBY

2 years

DARREN HALL

Two years

MICHELLE BRUCE

Six months

WILLIAM McRANDLE

2 years

PAUL DUCKWORTH

Three years

ANDREW PORTER

Three years

LIAM BURNS

Two years

MARK BECKETT

Four years

DALE FALLOWS

Five years

ANTHONY ROBINSON

Five years

RYAN GRIMSHAW

Four years

NICHOLAS MACRO

Four years

ANTHONY BITHELL

2 years

CHRISTOPHER BOWDEN

2 years

EDWARD McMAHON

18 months

DAVID TELFORD

18 months

PAUL HODGES

18 months

PATRICK BROGAN

Two years

DALE GRAY

One year

Community scarred and battered by your actions, says judge