UNIVERSITY and college students were targeted in Worcester by a gang of roofers who went on a "happy slapping" spree of violence.

They drove around St John's selecting victims at random - and filmed some of the attacks on a mobile phone.

Boasts were made that the incidents would be posted on the internet website YouTube.

One attack was outside a primary school in Henwick Road, Hereford Crown Court heard.

The roofers had come to the city to canvass prospective customers - but ended up launching the street assaults after drinking cans of cider, said prosecutor Anthony Johnson.

Judge Patrick Thomas QC said filming violence was a craze in February last year when the "cowardly, bullying and sordid" incidents happened.

He handed out jail sentences totalling over 12 years and said he hoped the five defendants would grow up when they were released.

Sentenced were: Grant Howls, aged 26, of Eastnor Drive, Hereford, three years; Jonathan Rose, 25, of Cottonwoods, Hereford, three years; Jonathan Mills, 25, of Westholme Road, Hereford, three years and three months; Thomas Watkins, 18, of Hinton Crescent, Hereford, 18 months; Adam Atkin, 18, of Fromington Cottages, Sutton St Nicholas, near Hereford, 18 months.

They all pleaded guilty to violent disorder on February 21, 2008. Rose also pleaded guilty to public disorder in a separate incident a month later.

The roofers, along with Howls - who did not work with them - drove to Worcester in Rose's car, first selecting a group of four students in Oldbury Road at 3.45pm.

Howls taunted them with the words: "Hello children, you can see yourself on You Tube later," said Mr Johnson.

He filmed one student being attacked before they drove away and targeted James Briggs outside the school.

The College of Technology student was repeatedly kicked and punched and had his rucksack stolen.

Worcester University student Sam Frost was the next victim as he walked from his hall of residence to a shop.

He was knocked down, had his hair pulled and was subjected to kicks as Howls commented: "Smile for the camera."

In Oldbury Road, fellow university student Sam McGregor was also battered to the ground.

Food he was carrying was stolen and shared out.

Police traced the men after Rose's car number was noted by a witness.

Howls recognised the offences were "deeply unpleasant", said his barrister Tim Sapwell.

Charles Hamer, for Rose, said he was an intelligent man who had since formed his own roofing business.

Andrew Davidson, for Mills - who had a record for public disorder - said he was being treated for alcoholism.

Watkins felt so ashamed he had asked his family not to attend court, said his barrister David Munro.

Joe Kieran, for Atkin, said he had been "sucked into these events by group dynamics".