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Bikers jailed for airport brawl Bikers jailed for airport brawl
(about 3 hours later)
Seven members of two rival biker gangs have been jailed for six years each for their part in a mass brawl between the gangs at an airport.Seven members of two rival biker gangs have been jailed for six years each for their part in a mass brawl between the gangs at an airport.
Up to 30 members of the Hells Angels and Outlaw biker groups clashed at Birmingham Airport last January, some wielding knuckledusters and hammers.Up to 30 members of the Hells Angels and Outlaw biker groups clashed at Birmingham Airport last January, some wielding knuckledusters and hammers.
An eighth man due to be sentenced has fled the country, Birmingham Crown Court heard.An eighth man due to be sentenced has fled the country, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
Four men were members of the Outlaws and three were with the Hells Angels.Four men were members of the Outlaws and three were with the Hells Angels.
Three injuredThree injured
The fight started when a few gang members spotted a small group of rival bikers on the same flight back from Alicante, Spain, the court heard.The fight started when a few gang members spotted a small group of rival bikers on the same flight back from Alicante, Spain, the court heard.
They rang ahead for reinforcements who met them at the airport with various weapons, including a meat cleaver.They rang ahead for reinforcements who met them at the airport with various weapons, including a meat cleaver.
Passengers had to take cover from the violence that ensued in the arrivals area, the court heard.Passengers had to take cover from the violence that ensued in the arrivals area, the court heard.
Three gang members were injured and one suffered a serious head injury.Three gang members were injured and one suffered a serious head injury.
Four Outlaws - Mark Moseley, 46, of Orchard Rise, Sheldon, Birmingham; Neale Harrison, 46, of Bell Green Road, Coventry; Mark Price, 50, from Westbury Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire; and Jeremy Ball, 46, from Plant Street, Cheadle, Staffordshire; were found guilty of rioting in May.Four Outlaws - Mark Moseley, 46, of Orchard Rise, Sheldon, Birmingham; Neale Harrison, 46, of Bell Green Road, Coventry; Mark Price, 50, from Westbury Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire; and Jeremy Ball, 46, from Plant Street, Cheadle, Staffordshire; were found guilty of rioting in May.
While any individual remains adherent to a biker club to the extent that he sacrifices his own moral judgment, that presents a real danger to the public of causing serious harm Judge Patrick Thomas QCWhile any individual remains adherent to a biker club to the extent that he sacrifices his own moral judgment, that presents a real danger to the public of causing serious harm Judge Patrick Thomas QC
Three Hells Angels - Paul Arlett, 35, from Penn Road, Wolverhampton; Sean Timmins 38, from Briewood Road, Wolverhampton; and Leonard Hawthorne, 52, of Eve Lane, Dudley; were also found guilty of rioting last month.Three Hells Angels - Paul Arlett, 35, from Penn Road, Wolverhampton; Sean Timmins 38, from Briewood Road, Wolverhampton; and Leonard Hawthorne, 52, of Eve Lane, Dudley; were also found guilty of rioting last month.
But the court heard on Friday that that Mark Larner, 47, from Penn Road, Wolverhampton, had left the UK for South Africa "with a substantial amount of money, and clearly is therefore at large".But the court heard on Friday that that Mark Larner, 47, from Penn Road, Wolverhampton, had left the UK for South Africa "with a substantial amount of money, and clearly is therefore at large".
A warrant was issued for his arrest but he was not sentenced in his absence.A warrant was issued for his arrest but he was not sentenced in his absence.
Sentencing the men, Judge Patrick Thomas QC, said the jail terms would have a substantial impact on the families of the convicted men but their actions gave him no choice.Sentencing the men, Judge Patrick Thomas QC, said the jail terms would have a substantial impact on the families of the convicted men but their actions gave him no choice.
"Your conduct gives me no choice," he said."Your conduct gives me no choice," he said.
"You are all family men, and the effects of your actions on your families will be very substantial."You are all family men, and the effects of your actions on your families will be very substantial.
"While any individual remains adherent to a biker club to the extent that he sacrifices his own moral judgment, that presents a real danger to the public of causing serious harm.""While any individual remains adherent to a biker club to the extent that he sacrifices his own moral judgment, that presents a real danger to the public of causing serious harm."
'Risk to the public''Risk to the public'
West Midlands Police said the "horrendous" violence during the riot was unprecedented in the history of the airport.West Midlands Police said the "horrendous" violence during the riot was unprecedented in the history of the airport.
A costly police security operation - including the presence of armed officers - was carried out for the duration of the six-week trial.A costly police security operation - including the presence of armed officers - was carried out for the duration of the six-week trial.
Officers worked with colleagues in the Warwickshire force which said on Friday that attempts were being made to prevent the annual Hells Angel Bulldog Bash near Stratford-upon-Avon from going ahead later in the summer.Officers worked with colleagues in the Warwickshire force which said on Friday that attempts were being made to prevent the annual Hells Angel Bulldog Bash near Stratford-upon-Avon from going ahead later in the summer.
Bill Holland, Assistant Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police, said they were taking legal advice to have the event's licence withdrawn after organisers were granted a 10-year licence by district councillors last year.Bill Holland, Assistant Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police, said they were taking legal advice to have the event's licence withdrawn after organisers were granted a 10-year licence by district councillors last year.
"It is a matter of official record that over many years, outlaw motorcycle clubs have been actively engaged in organised crime," he said."It is a matter of official record that over many years, outlaw motorcycle clubs have been actively engaged in organised crime," he said.
"There is a clear, evidenced, and significant risk to innocent members of the public if the Bulldog Bash is allowed to take place.""There is a clear, evidenced, and significant risk to innocent members of the public if the Bulldog Bash is allowed to take place."