Wolverhampton riot yobs are behind bars

Four yobs who were part of gangs that rampaged through Wolverhampton during unprecedented riots in the city were today each beginning prison terms of two years or more.

One of the thugs who was locked up looted stock from a shop while another launched a plank of wood at police officers responding to emergency 999 calls.

Wolverhampton's most senior judge, John Warner, told all four defendants that their roles in the widespread disorder contributed to what he described as an "erosion of public confidence in safety."

"Those who took part in the outbreak were the cause of great apprehension and fear," he said. "There were devastating consequences for all sorts of people."

The four men locked up at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday were:

Father-of-two Luke Blakemore, aged 26, of of Helming Drive, Lanesfield. He was jailed for two years and eight months after admitting he tried to break into Currys, on St John's retail park, and possession of cannabis.

Dwaine Spence, 24, of Sweetman Street, Whitmore Reans. He is today starting a two year and nine months prison term for launching a wooden plank at a police car in Whitmore Reans.

James Aldridge, 20, of no fixed address but formerly of Braemar Close, Willenhall. He was given two years in a young offenders' institute for stealing from Sunitek in Broad Street, and intending to steal from Digitech Masters in Queen Street.

Parupkar Kainth, also 20, of Gordon Avenue, West Bromwich, admitted acting as a "getaway driver" by driving looters from West Bromwich to and from the raids in Wolverhampton. He was given two years three months in a young offenders' institute.