FOUR youths described as a "pack of dogs" have been jailed for more than 11 years after their brutal attack on an Earby man.

Andrew Thornton was punched, kicked and stamped on, after he complained about different youths using one of his window ledges as a private bar.

The violence outside his address in Colne Road, Earby, was witnessed by his wife who tried to intervene, but was herself pushed to the ground by one of the defendants.

Sentences totalling eleven and a half years were handed down when the four appeared for sentencing at Preston Crown Court.

The longest term, four years youth custody, was passed on 20-year-old Leigh Jarvis of Whitehall Street, Nelson.

Lee McDonald, 20, of Goodall Close, Earby, was given three years youth custody, plus six months from outstanding licence.

Michael Jarvis, 23, of Goodall Close, Earby was sentenced to two and a half years prison while Jonathan Farrell, 17, of Goodall Close, Earby, received two years detention and training.

All four were sentenced for offences of violent disorder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

McDonald and Michael Jarvis had pleaded guilty, while the other two were convicted after trial.

Sentencing, Judge Jonathan Foster QC said the case was "quite terrible".

He told the four defendants: "You and the public must know that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated."

The charges arise from an attack on March 11 last year. Mr Thornton was disturbed by three young people not the defendants - using a window ledge of his side window as "their own private bar" said the judge.

The group were moved off and Farrell took exception to the man speaking to his friends.

He approached him in an aggressive manner and Mr Thornton pushed him away.

The youth went to the Station Hotel to complain about Mr Thornton's behaviour. Leigh Jarvis and McDonald were in the pub and Michael Jarvis somewhere outside.

The four defendants and at least three youths then advanced towards Mr Thornton's house. The man was punched to the ground and kicked to the head and body.

One eyewitness went on to describe the group attacking Mr Thornton like a "pack of dogs", said June Morris, prosecuting.

The victim's wife had arrived home from shopping and saw around eight people attacking her husband. She said one of them singled her out Leigh Jarvis and began to push her away from the group. He said to her: "Do you want some as well?"

The woman was pushed to the other side of the road and pushed to the ground.

The same person then ran back to where her husband lay on the floor and kicked him to the head.

Tim Ashmole, defending Leigh Jarvis, said he had acted on impulse, believing his brother to be in some difficulty.

Hilary Manley, for Farrell, said the incident had been out of character.

Richard Butcher, for McDonald, said he had had the courage to plead guilty. Since then he had not been in drink.

Martin Hackett, representing Michael Jarvis, said he regretted his involvement.