Biker gangs jailed for airport riot

Judge Patrick Thomas QC, sitting at Birmingham Crown Court, acknowledged that the long sentences would have a substantial impact on the families of the seven men.

But he told them their actions in taking part in clashes with a rival gang at Birmingham Airport gave him no choice other than to impose lengthy jail terms.

The men were convicted of riot after the mass brawl on January 20 last year and were granted bail to appear for sentencing on Friday.

But one, 47-year-old Mark Larner, fled to South Africa "with a substantial amount of money, and clearly is therefore at large", the court was told.

A warrant was issued for his arrest but Judge Thomas said he would not sentence Larner as he could not be satisfied he would "get the sentence right".

The six-week trial heard how dozens of Hells Angels and Outlaws, some armed with knives, were involved in the "battle" at the airport. Larner, of Tudor Road in Upper Gornal, West Midlands, and the other seven men denied riot but were all convicted by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court in May.

Sentenced on Friday were Neil Harrison, 46, of Bell Green Road, Coventry; Paul Arlett, 35, of Cradley Road, Dudley, West Midlands; Mark Price, 50, of Westbury Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire; Sean Timmins, 38, of Brewood Road in Coven, Staffordshire; Leonard Hawthorne, 52, of Penn Road, Wolverhampton; Mark Moseley, 46, of Orchard Rise in Birmingham, and Jeremy Ball, 46, of Plant Street, Cheadle, Staffordshire.

The Outlaws were Price, Harrison, Moseley and Ball. The three Hells Angels were Arlett, Timmins, and Hawthorne, who were brought into the court for sentencing separately.

Judge Thomas QC said: "This was an appalling case of public disorder in the presence of and to the terror of probably hundreds of people."