FOUR thugs are behind bars today for their part in a terrifying attack which caused £4,600 damage to a couple's home.Richard Miller, 17 and Ben Rowe, 16 and both of Langer Road, Felixstowe, admitted violent disorder together with Michael Ward, 16, of Adastral Road, Felixstowe and Oliver Rich, 18, of Somerville Avenue, Gorleston.

FOUR thugs are behind bars today for their part in a terrifying attack which caused £4,600 damage to a couple's home.

Richard Miller, 17 and Ben Rowe, 16 and both of Langer Road, Felixstowe, admitted violent disorder together with Michael Ward, 16, of Adastral Road, Felixstowe and Oliver Rich, 18, of Somerville Avenue, Gorleston.

The court heard the teenagers were part of a 20 strong gang who chased victims Terry Russell, 30, Richard Walker and Daniel Doran, then aged 16, from the Langer Park are in Felixstowe to a house in Undercliff Road West, where the trio sought refuge.

The court heard the gang shouted threats at Russell which included "get him" and "anyone got a knife?"

During the chase five of the gang caught up with Doran and kicked and punched him, but he managed to break free.

"As he fled down the street objects were thrown at him," said Duncan O'Donnel, prosecuting at Bury St Edmunds Crown Court yesterday.

The trio ran to Sandra and 62-year-old Roger Doran's house, the home of Daniel's parents in Undercliff Road West where the gang continued to hurl abuse.

Some threw concrete missiles at the property causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to the couple's house and car.

"Mr Doran had cuts to his head and neck," said Mr O'Donnel of the injuries following the incident on October 31 last year. "Mrs Duran was badly shaken and terrified and continues to suffer bouts of depression."

Sentencing the four Judge John Devaux told them: "The victims of the affray were not just Mr Russell and the other two young men alone, but the householders who have done nothing to attack or deserve the violent attention of some of you and others."

He ordered Rich, 18, who has previous convictions, to serve six months in a young offender's institution.

Miller, Rowe and Ward were all sentenced to four months detention and training.

Andrew Shaw, mitigating, said his client Ward had been at Lix nightclub when Russell spat cider in his face outside the club, provoking him. The court heard he phoned Rowe, who had a grudge against Russell.

When interviewed by police Ward said he stood back and did not shout or throw missiles.

Cherry Parnell, representing Rowe, told the court: "It was a one off which effectively spiralled out of control. He is genuinely remorseful and sorry it ever took place but can't turn the clock back."

In police interview Miller and Rich admitted going to the park and being part of the chase but denied throwing missiles.

Jude Durr, acting for Miller, said his client had no previous convictions and regretted the incident. Andre De Moller, acting for Rich said: "he attempted to distance himself from the group at the time."

Four other youths – who cannot be named for legal reasons – were sentenced in the youth court on an earlier occasion.

Three these youngsters had admitted throwing slabs at the window of the house.

Two were given four months detention and training and a third a 10-month detention and training order.

A fourth was made subject to a 24-month supervision order and three-month curfew order and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation.