TWO football fans from the North-East were given suspended prison sentences last night following riots in Portugal during Euro 2004.

Peter Barmick, 37, from Thornaby, Teesside, was handed a nine-month sentence, suspended for three years, while John Jackson, 22, from Newcastle, was given a seven-month sentence, also suspended for three years.

Gary Mann, 47, from Faversham, Kent, was jailed for two years for his part in the street battle with police in Albufeira, in the Algarve, on Monday night.

There were angry scenes in the town's court house as Mann, who has the St George's cross tattooed on his forearm, claimed: "I wasn't even there. It's a stitch up."

Mann was told he would be sent straight back to England to serve his sentence.

Ten other England fans in the dock with Mann will also be deported to Britain.

He was convicted of taking part in a riot and inciting others to riot, having urged them to "fight the police".

Andrew Williams, 22, from Burgess Hill, Sussex; John Parkes, 19, from Dudley; Daniel Marsh, 20, from Barnsley; Ricky Tsigarides 22, from Cheshunt, and David Jackson, 28, from Peterborough, were also given seven-month jail sentences, suspended for three years.

Paul Donahue, 32, from Manchester, and Jason Boyle, 22, from Manchester, were both cleared of criminal wrongdoing but cannot return to Portugal for five years.

Jack Hobbs, 19, from Oxford, was cleared of criminal wrongdoing and told he could not return to Portugal for a year.

Joe Nicholls, 24, from Aldershot, was freed.

The sentences followed condemnation by Tony Blair yesterday, who said the hooligans had brought "shame on our country and on the vast majority of England football fans who just want to enjoy the game".

The Prime Minister hit out in the Commons after tournament organiser Uefa warned it may take action against England if the violence spreads to matches.