FIVE teenagers who took part in an “ugly and savage” group attack on two council workmen have avoided custodial sentences.The youths were walking along London Road, Ipswich in the early hours of February 17 when one of them bared his bottom at Ipswich Borough Council employees Nicholas Bartlett and Christopher Hancock, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

FIVE teenagers who took part in an “ugly and savage” group attack on two council workmen have avoided custodial sentences.

The youths were walking along London Road, Ipswich in the early hours of February 17 when one of them bared his bottom at Ipswich Borough Council employees Nicholas Bartlett and Christopher Hancock, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

The workers made a light-hearted comment back to the youths, who reacted by approaching the two men and kicking and punching them, said Jane Oldfield prosecuting.

As a result of the attack, the two men suffered minor injuries including lumps on the sides of their heads and were left shaken.

Before the court were Matthew Farrell, 19, of Wellington Road, Ipswich, James Leaberry, 18, of Grange Road, Felixstowe, and Michael Woolrich, 18 of Mountbatton Court Ipswich. They all pleaded guilty to assaulting the two workmen.

Leaberry and Farrell were each ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work in the community and to take part in a 10-day specified activity. They were also ordered to pay £25 compensation to each of the workmen and £50 prosecution costs.

Woolrich was ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work and to pay £25 compensation to each of the workmen and £50 prosecution costs.

Also before the court was Luke Nolson, 19, of London Road, Ipswich and a 16-year-old boy who cannot be named because of his age. They both denied assaulting the workmen but were found guilty after a trial. They were each ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work and to be subject to a curfew order for eight weeks between 7pm and 5am. They were also ordered to pay £25 compensation to each of the workmen and £50 prosecution costs.

Sentencing the youths Judge David Goodin described the attack as “ugly and savage”.

“There were five of you on to two workmen who were minding their own business. One of you thought it amusing to bare their bottom and because the workmen said something you decided to beat them up. It is a serious offence. I have considered sending you to prison but you are all too young and too lightly convicted.”