A GANG who robbed a group of teenagers and torched their car have been jailed for at least 12-and-a-half years.

Burnley Crown Court heard how the "drink and drug crazed" defendants launched the unprovoked onslaught as their victims were parked in an isolated spot at Cown Park, Whitworth, listening to music and watching DVDs.

The victims, robbed of their mobiles and DVDs, were terrified by their ordeal and thought they were going to die.

Drug addicts Lee Parsons, 21, and Jason Parsons, 20, of Coopers Walk, Rochdale, and Gary Geddes, 22, of New Barn Lane, Rochdale, all admitted three counts of robbery.

They were given indefinite jail terms for public protection, with the Parsons brothers both being ordered to serve three-and-a-half years behind bars before the parole board can consider if they are safe to be released. Geddes must serve a minimum three years.

Kelly Proctor, 19, of Thorburn Drive, Whitworth, pleaded guilty to one charge of robbery and was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Sentencing, Judge Brian Duckworth said the story he had heard "made one go cold" that the victims were exposed to 10 to 15 minutes of "absolute terror" after the defendants, drink and drug crazed, went in mob handed.

He added: "It was an appalling nightmare and they were fearful their last moments on earth had arrived. It's a sobering thought that such lunatically, violent, criminal behaviour should take place in this day and age."

Roger Brown, prosecuting, said the Parsons brothers each had previous convictions for robbing three boys and Geddes had a record including drugs and making threats to kill.