SEVEN men narrowly avoided jail after attacking a Hampshire youth centre.

A mob of some 15 to 20 teenagers from Eastleigh were challenged to a fight by a group of Winchester youths, a court heard.

But when the convoy of cars arrived from Eastleigh the Winchester youths had melted away and instead the mob attacked the Carroll Youth Centre in Stanmore.

They hammered on the hastily locked doors and attacked cars in the car park while staff and centre users cowered inside, said Ian Lawrie, prosecuting at Winchester Crown Court.

Mr Lawrie added: "Their behaviour was described by witnesses as aggressive, loutish and excitable. In a word, yobbish.

"They struck the front door with pieces of wood and metal poles and smashed the front door. Two windscreens were smashed on cars of staff at the centre."

Mr Lawrie said most had disguised themselves with hoodies and scarves.

He said police made numerous arrests in the weeks after the incident on March 6 last year.

The court heard that many had refused to talk to police unlike the seven in the dock who admitted taking part in the incident.

All were effectively of good character, said Mr Lawrie.

They are: Bobby Watts, 20, of Coniston Road; Ashley Foote, 19, of Tennyson Road; Kellsy Ehoro, 19, of Derby Road; Matthew Michael, 18, of Chamberlayne Road; Matthew Thornton, 18, and Carl Bearman, 18, of Consort Road.

A seventh man, Alex Featherstone, 20, of Pembroke Road, had admitted conspiracy to cause violent disorder but was allowed to change his plea to guilty to affray.

Sentencing, Judge Patrick Hooton said: "The best thing that can be said for you is that if it wasn't for what you said to the police you wouldn't be standing in the dock.

"If you hadn't been people effectively of good character you would have gone to prison. If any of you ever come in front of me again for anything involving public violence I will make it my business to put you inside."

The judge ordered each to do 150 hours community service.