Biker Gangs Jailed After Airport Brawl

Seven members of a biker gang have been jailed for their involvement in a mass brawl inside an airport terminal.

Up to 30 members of the Hells Angels and Outlaw biker groups, some armed with knives, clashed at Birmingham Airport last January.

The seven men were each jailed for six years after the "terrifying" fight in which one man suffered a near-fatal head injury, while passengers were forced to take cover.

Four of the men sentences are members of the Outlaws and three are with the Hells Angels.

An eighth man due to be sentenced has fled the country, Birmingham Crown Court heard.

During the trial, CCTV footage of the violence was shown, while jurors also looked at photographs of knives, a machete, a club, knuckle-dusters, three hammers and a meat cleaver recovered after the brawl.

Judge Patrick Thomas QC, sitting at Birmingham Crown Court, acknowledged that the long sentences would have substantial impact on the families of the seven men.

However, he told them their actions in taking part in the violent clashes at the airport, gave him no choice other than to impose lengthy jail terms.

Sharon Rowe, West Midlands Police's assistant chief constable for operations said: "A horrendous fight took place and one men nearly lost his life.

"I am pleased to say that those convicted - four members of the Outlaws and three members of the Hells Angels - have received significant sentences."

Sentenced on Friday of rioting, were Neil Harrison, 46, of Bell Green Road, Coventry; Paul Arlett, 35, of Cradley Road, Dudley, West Midlands; Mark Price, 50, of Westbury Road, Nuneaton, Warwickshire; Sean Timmins, 38, of Brewood Road in Coven, Staffordshire; Leonard Hawthorne, 52, of Penn Road, Wolverhampton; Mark Moseley, 46, of Orchard Rise in Birmingham, and Jeremy Ball, 46, of Plant Street, Cheadle, Staffordshire.

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.

Forty-seven-year-old Mark Larner, fled to South Africa "with a substantial amount of money, and clearly therefore is at large", the court was told.

A warrant has been issued for his arrest but the judge said he would not sentence Larner as he could not be satisfied he would "get the sentence right".

(JM/BMcC)