FOUR teenagers who "revelled in violence" during a series of unprovoked attacks - including a prolonged rampage in York's South Bank last summer - were today starting a total of ten years behind bars.

One, Thomas Brolly, 17, was also banned indefinitely from South Bank and Clementhorpe under an antisocial behaviour order.

Leeds Crown Court heard they were responsible for seven outbreaks of unprovoked violence on four days, including the South Bank incidents last August.

David Brooke, prosecuting, described how they were part of a gang of youths that got "high" on thuggery, bragged about leaving victim Mark Pantry for dead, and made running kicks and stamped on the heads and bodies of people lying on the ground.

During the South Bank rampage, gang members shouted: "Are we off fighting?" and: "Are we off to smash heads together?"

Sam Mason, 15, said: "No one messes with Sam and gets away with it," as he and Louis Duffill, 16, walked away from the attack in which Mr Pantry's head and prone body were kicked 40 times. Their victim suffered a brain injury.

Brolly told police that when he met his friends shortly afterwards, they were "giddy" with violence and, hearing them talk, he became "giddy" too and attacked a man sitting on steps nearby.

"I have rarely come across a case which displays more vicious and mindless violence," the Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman, told the four. "You revelled in the violence you inflicted."

Mason, of Fawkes Drive, Acomb, was jailed for four years. He admitted seven offences. The court heard he had a string of previous convictions which earned him an antisocial behaviour order last October.

His barrister, Chris Dunn, said: "This young man has severe difficulties. It is not just a simple straightforward case of a young man who has completely out of control."

Duffill, of Ostman Road, Acomb, was jailed for three years. He admitted four offences.

His barrister, Paul Williams, said he had become used to violence as a child and had been mixing with the wrong group.

Kyle Hind, 16, of Dringfield Close, Dringhouses, and Brolly, of Ordnance Lane, Fulford, received 18-month detention and training orders. Each admitted three offences.

For Hind, Martin Sharpe said he had a job lined up and had changed for the better.

Nicholas de la Power, representing Brolly, said his client had an alcohol problem.

Detective Constable Rob Eden praised residents who intervened in one of the South Bank attacks. He said: "Had it not been for their actions, we may have been investigating an even more serious offence."

:: The sentences

Sam Mason, aged 15

Guilty of one attempted grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, three offences of actual bodily harm, two of criminal damage, one of affray. Sentence: Four years detention.

Louis Duffil, aged 16

Guilty of one attempted GBH with intent, three offences of actual bodily harm

Sentence: Three years detention.

Kyle Hind, aged 16

Guilty of three offences of causing actual bodily harm.

Sentence: 18 months detention and training order.

Thomas Brolly, aged 17

Guilty of two offences of actual bodily harm, one of theft.

Sentence: 18 months detention and training order. Antisocial behaviour order made banning him from South Bank and Clementhorpe indefinitely.

:: Youths' trail of violence across the city

July 29, Rowntree Park;

Mason, Duffill and Hind attack two 15-year-old boys. They punch them to the ground, kicking and stamping on them. Victims left with shoe marks on their faces.

August 2, outside Nicholls News, Wains Road, Dringhouses;

Shop owner Simon Nicholls asks gang members to leave because they are causing trouble inside shop. After closing, he is grabbed from behind on his way home. Mason punches him to the ground outside, and kicks his head repeatedly.

August 6, South Bank;

10.25pm. Knavesmire Crescent. Gang asks Lindon Kellett and friends directions to "South Bank church" and threatens them. As Mr Kellett bends down to his dog, Mason punches him in the face and walks away, vandalising parked cars.

10.45pm. Outside St Clement's Church, Scarcroft Road. Mark Pantry remonstrates with gang for misbehaving. Mason and Duffill knock him down, kick him 40 times and leave him unconscious with a brain injury.

Duffill also attacks Mr Pantry's friend, Matthew Stothard, who tries to intervene in the attack.

11pm. Brolly punches Malcolm Atken in the face in Southlands Road. In Nunthorpe Crescent, Brolly punches Stephen Robinson to the ground, several gang members attack him, knocking him out. His girlfriend tries to protect him by lying on top of him. Brolly runs off with Mr Robinson's mobile phone and makes threatening calls and sends offensive texts to Mr Robinson's sister.

August 31, Wains Road, Dringhouses;

Gang follows John Heppell, attacks him and Hind stamps towards his head.

Updated: 10:35 Friday, January 21, 2005