FIVE Lancaster boys aged between 12 and 15 who took part in a petrol bomb attack on an Asian shopkeeper's premises on the Ryelands Estate have been detained for a total of 24 years. Judge Peter Smith told Preston Crown Court that: "Those who commit adult crimes cannot expect to receive childhood sentences."

Sean Corless, 12, of Lyth Road, Paul Crerand, 14, of Dee Road, Shaun Morgan, 14, of Lincoln Road and Brett Tomlinson, 15, of Marshon Road and Carl Whyte, 15 of Udale Place all admitted to possessing an explosive substance with intent (petrol bombs) and charges of violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

Corless, who was 11 at the time of the offence, was sentenced to four years detention while the others received five years detention.

Judge Smith told the five he was sentencing them on the basis that the petrol bomb attack by the group on November 5 last year was not racially motivated.

The court heard that it was sheer good fortune the shop had not been burned out on the bonfire night attack.

Two other defendants, who were not part of the petrol bomb attack, were also sentenced for their parts in the overall incident. They had attacked a passer-by called Andrew Williams who had tried to stop the mob.

Lewis Richardson, 19, of Ryelands Road, Lancaster, was sentenced to 14 months at a young offenders' institution and Trudie Weighell, 25 of Mainway, Skerton, was jailed for 22 months. Both admitted violent disorder.

The court heard how Mr Williams was set upon by a mob when the fracas took place outside Mal Hussein's shop on Ryelands. Richardson had punched and kicked Mr Williams and Weighell had also "put the boot in."

Judge Smith described the attack as "vicious and cowardly." A petrol bomb exploded but the door did not catch fire. Another petrol bomb was produced and several attempts were made to light it.

Judge Smith ruled that all the defendants could be identified despite their ages.

Mal Hussein outside his shop on the Ryelands Estate - It was "sheer good fortune" it had not been burned out. The parents of the convicted youngsters could face eviction from their homes, it emerged after Monday's sentencing.

In a statement by Cllr Ian Barker, chairman of housing, he said: "In cases where those people convicted resided with council tenants, then the council may serve notice to seek possession which could lead to them losing their homes."

He also expressed his delight with the verdicts. The council employed professional witnesses on Ryelands and mounted an around the clock surveillance operation to gather evidence for the case.

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