Caught on CCTV: The moment a drunken gang kicked man unconscious while a girl rifled through his pockets

The graphic images of the town centre attack show the group kicking and punching the 27-year-old repeatedly before Gemma Stafford, 18, is seen stealing cash and cigarettes.

CCTV captured the drunken gang laying into their victim. One of the assailants is filmed delivering a horrific running kick to his head as he lay motionless.

Scroll down to see the CCTV. WARNING: This footage contains graphic violence

Callous: Gemma Stafford rifles through the man's pockets after he is kicked unconscious

Stafford, the initial ringleader of the unprovoked assault in Rochdale town centre, was sentenced to 18 months in jail yesterday. The four other gang members were jailed for a total of 13 years and six months last month.

Bolton Crown Court heard the man was targeted as he walked through the town in the early hours of March 15 this year.

Ringleader: Gemma Stafford, 18

Gemma Stafford led the gang as she walked over and shook her hands in an aggressive manner. The group then surrounded him and two of the offenders punched him in the head.

He soon fell to the ground after being repeatedly punched and kicked by the five offenders and was knocked unconscious.

Stuart Shaw, 20, continued to kick him while Stafford rifled through his pockets and stole money and cigarettes, even turning him over to make sure she had checked everywhere.

Just for good measure, Shaw then took one last running kick at the victim's head before they ran off, leaving him for dead.

When police arrived Stafford claimed she was an innocent bystander who was concerned about the victim. Shaw said he could not remember what had happened because he had drank so much.

The victim was taken to hospital but luckily only suffered minor injuries.

Stafford, of Hilltop Drive, Kirkholt, was sentenced to 18 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and robbery. She received nine months for each offence to run consecutively.

A police officer said after the case: 'The scenes on the CCTV are absolutely disgraceful. This girl thought she would juist help herself to this guy's belongings as her mates gave him a good kicking.

'He could have been dead or dying yet she could not give too hoots about him. His money and cigarettes wee more important. There's just no such thing as the fairer sex these days.'

Last month, Shaw, of Bridge Street, Heywood, was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court to four years after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and violent disorder.

Andrew Harbourne, 19, of Clever Street, Burnley was sentenced to four years after pleading guilty to violent disorder and robbery.

Joshua McErlean, 19, of Bury Road, Rochdale was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, robbery and violent disorder.

A 17-year-old boy was sentenced to 18 months youth detention after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, robbery and violent disorder.

Sickening: A member of the gang aims a kick at the 27-year-old's head and below, all five join in the assault

Detective Sergeant Lee Johnson, of Rochdale CID, said: 'This was a vicious and unprovoked attack and it is only by sheer luck the victim wasn't permanently injured.

'The ferocity of the blows to his head could have caused serious and lasting damage. Their actions were sickening to watch and is mindless violence at its worst.

'The group were prepared to lie their way out of it, Stafford in particular who only decided to change her account when she was faced with CCTV footage.

'I am pleased to see these thugs have been brought to justice for their callous behaviour and the victim can start to put the incident behind him.'

Gang: Stuart Shaw, 20 (left) and Joshua McErlean, 19, above, and below, Gemma Stafford, 18 and Andrew Harbourne, 19. The youths were all jailed for four years. Stafford, who pleaded guilty, was given 18 months