FOUR Hereford United hooligans have been jailed for their part in a pub brawl likened by a judge to 'a scene from the Wild West'.

Judge Linda Sutcliffe made the comments while passing sentence at Bradford Crown Court last Friday after watching CCTV footage of the fans' violent clashes with Police and passers-by in Doncaster town centre in April 2002.

More than a dozen arrests were made following the violence, which broke out inside the Gatehouse Pub in Priory Walk, Doncaster.

"It had involved innocent members of the public who were trying to have an innocent afternoon out but found themselves caught up in a scene that could be out of the Wild West," said Judge Sutcliffe.

Hereford United chief Graham Turner welcomed the judge's stance and the city's football liaison officer, PC Steve Thomas, said the hooligans had damaged the club's reputation and had led to every supporter being under suspicion at away matches.

Justin Dale Davies, aged 31, of West Street, Leominster, was jailed for nine months and banned from all football matches for six years. Darren Probert, 31, of Bronsil Close, Newton Farm, Hereford, was jailed for eight months and given a six-year ban. Antonio Vito Calandra, 26, of Ledbury Road, Hereford, was jailed for six months and given a six-year ban. All three had admitted a charge of affray.

Brian Peter Tisdale, 44, of Moor Street, Hereford, pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening behaviour and was jailed for three months and given a six-year ban.

Three other fans also admitted using threatening behaviour and were given community penalties.

Richard John Bevan, 30, of Newton Farm, St Weonards, was given a community punishment order for 90 hours, a curfew order for four months and banned from all football matches for three years.

Dominic Edward Chipping, 35, of Guilford Road, Brighton, was given a community punishment order for 70 hours, a curfew order for four months and banned for three years.

Alec James Byrnes, 38, of Godiva Road, Leominster, was given a community punishment order for 80 hours, a curfew order for six months and banned for three years.

Passing sentence, Judge Sutcliffe said she could not be sure that the men had planned the outburst at the pub, but said: "It was a disgraceful piece of conduct on the part of all of you.

"What happened inside the public house must have been more frightening for those who were unwittingly affected by what unfolded.

"Police officers came along and tried to do their duty and were themselves put at risk and in danger."