FIVE teenagers have been locked up for a drunken attack on a man in Huddersfield town centre - and four had never been in trouble before.

Now police say their punishments should act as a stark warning to others that booze-fuelled violence will not be tolerated.

A judge said he was horrified by graphic CCTV footage of the unprovoked attack on John-Paul Foleher, 23.

After the shocking images were screened at Bradford Crown Court, Judge Roger Ibbotson said it was difficult to imagine "a more sickening spectacle."

Supt Nigel Hibbert, of Kirklees Police, said: "We will not tolerate violent behaviour in Huddersfield town centre.

"It should be a place where people can go out and enjoy themselves in safety."

Prosecutor Bashir Ahmed told the court how Mr Foleher and a friend had been heading for a taxi rank in Cross Church Street during the early hours of March 23 when they became aware of young men following them.

Mr Foleher was initially punched by 19-year-old Nick Hall and 18-year-old Jack Dyson, but he managed to get to his feet and tried to walk away.

Mr Ahmed said the complainant was then surrounded by the group and after being pushed to the ground he was kicked and punched.

Towards the end of the attack one of the group - 19-year-old Benjamin Lilley - searched the victim's pockets and stole his wallet and a mobile phone.

Mr Ahmed said it was fortunate the attack did not cause more serious injuries to Mr Foleher who suffered a black eye and abrasions to his head.

Hall, of Ainley Close, Birchencliffe; Dyson, of Weatherhill Road, Lindley; 18-year-old Neil Sykes, of Yew Tree Road, Birchencliffe and 19-year-old Ashley Walker, of Brecon Avenue, Lindley, were each sent to a young offenders' institution for nine months after they all admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Lilley, of Carr Street, Marsh, who was the only one of the five defendants with any previous convictions, admitted the assault and a further charge of theft.

He was sentenced to 10 months for the assault after Judge Ibbotson heard he was already subject to a community order at the time of the attack.

Lilley received a concurrent sentence of one month for the theft matter.

Barristers for the five teenagers said they had expressed genuine remorse and shame for the attack and Judge Ibbotson heard that they were all surprised by the level of violence used when they saw the CCTV footage.

Judge Ibbotson was urged to consider passing either community penalties or suspended sentences bearing in mind the teenagers' early guilty pleas and their good work records, but he told the five they had attacked a man who could not defend himself.

He described it as a sustained and unprovoked attack, adding: "Watching that film the only thing that surprises me is that you are not facing much more serious charges.

"It is clear to me that these offences were fuelled by drink, but you cannot expect that to be a mitigating circumstance."

Judge Ibbotson accepted the five all came from respectable backgrounds and their behaviour had brought shame on their families.

Mr Foleher, of Kirkburton, a personal assistant based at Momentum Leisure at Firth Street, spoke out after the case.

He said: "Me and my friend were walking down by Woolworth's and we just heard a lad saying, `You think you're hard!'"

Mr Foleher, who is also involved with the Territorial Army, said they ignored the remarks and carried on walking.

"I just felt someone come and punch me at the back of my head and grab the back of my collar. One of his friends hit me and I hit him back. Then they dragged me to the floor and started kicking and punching me."

He said he managed to hold on to one of the youths while the others dispersed.

"I held on to him until the police came and then they arrested me!

He was taken to the police station where the situation was explained and he was told the rest of the gang had been arrested.

As for their sentences he said: "Maybe it will teach them a lesson for the future."