A GROUP of men who wielded baseball bats, knives and a BB gun during a violent street altercation have been convicted.

The incident took place in broad daylight in Jarrow in June this year when the armed seven ran down Arran Drive to confront the occupants of two vehicles who had arrived at the bottom of the street.

Several neighbours called 999 and armed police attended the scene.

Dean Ratcliffe, 25, Conor Williams, 25, and Kieran Lincoln, 26, are today starting prison sentences after appearing at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday.

Ratcliffe, of Leslie Avenue, Hebburn, was jailed for 19 months after admitting affray, possessing an imitation firearm and assault.

Williams, of Aaron Drive, Jarrow, was sentenced to 20 months after pleading guilty to affray and possessing a bladed article and Lincoln, of Olive Street, South Shields, was imprisoned for 14 months after admitting affray.

Cory Patterson, 25, of Emlyn Road, South Shields, Daniel Purvis, 30, of Bishops Crescent, Jarrow, William Tisseman, 23, of Vespasian Street, South Shields and Shaun McCord, 34, of Abbey Drive, Jarrow are due to be sentenced in January after each admitting public order offences.

Detective Sergeant Aidan Hall, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was an absolutely appalling incident that would have shocked those living on the street and anybody who witnessed it unfold.

“A number of those involved were seen carrying weapons and showed levels of violence that have absolutely no place on our streets.

“Now, following a full and thorough investigation by a team of detectives, three of those involved have been handed jail terms while four others have been convicted and are awaiting sentence.

“We will not tolerate violence in our communities under any circumstances and these seven should be absolutely ashamed of their actions. I hope their conviction sends out a strong message to anybody who thinks about carrying a weapon and using violence.

“I would like to thank the community for their support and assistance throughout this investigation, and I hope this offers them reassurance that we will use every tactic at our disposal to ensure dangerous criminals are taken off our streets and put behind bars.”