DRUNKEN yobs who terrorised three Polish students were spared jail yesterday.

The students were enjoying an evening on the seafront at Hartlepool Marina when they were pelted with cans.

The group of two men and a young woman were then chased by three local men, in the incident on July 21 last year, Teesside Crown Court was told.

The woman, named Anna, scrambled in terror over rocks but slipped, cutting her wrist badly on broken glass.

Her friend, Artur, suffered a broken arm as he was knocked to the floor by punches and kicks, where his stomach was stamped on before he could run away.

The other student, Lucas, suffered serious bruising to his face.

The men chased the students, but gave up when they fled into a taxi office and staff called police, said Richard Bennett, prosecuting.

The judge, Recorder Michael Slater, told Michael Roberts, 21, Jonathon Bee, 20, and James Bryan, 22, that when he first read the case papers, he considered jailing them, but spared them prison because it was out of character.

Roberts and Bryan admitted affray, and Bee was convicted after a three-day trial last month.

Each was ordered to pay £600 compensation and £400 costs.

Alasdair Campbell, for Roberts, who was drunk when he attacked Artur, said he was ashamed for the way he treated visitors to this country.

Graham Reeds, for Bryan, said he realised it must have been terrifying for the Poles.

Roberts, of Lawson Road, Seaton Carew, was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with two years supervision and 200 hours community punishment.

Bee, of The Front, Seaton Carew, was given 12 months detention, suspended for two years, with 200 hours community punishment.

Bryan, of Ark Royal Close, Hartlepool, was given nine months jail, suspended for 12 months, with 150 hours community punishment.