NINE members of a gang that launched a vicious attack on a York man when he went fishing have been jailed for a total of more than 16 years.

Eleven men and youths surrounded the 34-year-old victim at about 7pm on September 9 in Scarborough, and as members of the public and local business people watched, they stamped on his head and kicked and punched him repeatedly. The incident was also captured on CCTV.

The angler’s jaw was broken in three places and he had serious burns on his back caused by him being dragged along a pavement.

Detective Sergeant Adam Normanton of Scarborough CID said: “This was a despicable and vicious attack on an innocent man who had come to Scarborough to enjoy a day’s fishing with his friends.

“I cannot imagine what must go through the minds of these people and their reasons for carrying out such a horrendous attack. I am pleased justice has caught up with the group and that they now have time to reflect on their actions and what they have done to an innocent member of the public.”

The sentences given to the gang at York Crown Court were: Jamie Andrew Ellis, aged 22 and Jack Gates, aged 18 were each jailed for three years; a 17-year-old juvenile was locked up for two years; Lee Daniel Tutty, aged 21 was jailed for 21 months, Dean Kevin Johnson, aged 18 was jailed for 18 months, as were Adam Luke Fox, aged 18 and a 16-year-old juvenile; John Leon Kilburn, aged 18, was locked up for a year, as was a 15-year-old juvenile. None of the juveniles cannot be named for legal reasons.

Inspector Graeme Kynman, of Scarborough’s Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “Many of the youths in this gang were from the Barrowcliffe estate in Scarborough and since their arrest there has been a marked reduction in anti-social behaviour and alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder in the area. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the witnesses who came forward and assisted the prosecution.”