AN Abergavenny detective praised the bravery of witnesses whose evidence led to the conviction of five people for violence condemned by a judge as being part of the "cult of yobbish behaviour."

A gang of three people were locked up for a total of five years and eight months, and two others who were involved received community sentences.

Detective Sergeant Howard Salmon, of Abergavenny CID, said: "I'd like to commend the witnesses who came forward and assisted the police to secure these convictions.

"Without the bravery of some of these witnesses, these people would be allowed to commit acts of violence throughout the town."

It was one of the worst incidents of violence in Abergavenny where there are many public order problems, prosecutor Matthew Roberts told Cardiff crown court.

After the incident, the Grofield Pub, where some of the incidents occurred, was closed down by police, the court was told.

Lee Osbourne, 24, of Underhill Crescent, Abergavenny, was jailed for 18 months; Jeramiah McCarthy, 19, of Glan-y-nant, Fochriw, Bargoed, received two years eight months in a young offender institution; and Lisa McCarthy 18, of Charles Close, Abergavenny, was sent to a young offender institution for 18 months.

Kerry Gaskell, 24, of Glan-y-nant, Fochriw, was sentenced to a community rehabilitation order for two years, and Caroline Hogan, 24, of Glan-y-nant, Fochriw, was sentenced to a community punishment order for 120 hours. Osbourne, Jeramiah McCarthy and Hogan admitted charges of affray. Jeramiah McCarthy and Gaskell pleaded guilty to causing Charlotte Jones actual bodily harm and Lisa McCarthy admitted robbing her.

Jeramiah McCarthy also admitted wounding Mr Kerry Farley and using threatening words and behaviour on another occasion.

Judge Stephen Hopkins, sitting at Cardiff crown court, told the five: "Gratuitous violence has become endemic in our society. "Young people, usually fuelled by drink, attack others at random or on the basis of some imagined slight.

"This cult of yobbish violence will not be tolerated and when those responsible are brought to justice appropriate sentences will be imposed to restore public confidence."

A warrant was issued for the arrest of 18-year-old Guy Sealy of Underhill Crescent, Abergavenny, who has admitted violent disorder and failed to turn up to be sentenced. It was ordered that he be remanded in custody.