FOUR Stroud louts are starting jail sentences this week for booze-fuelled violence.

And police have welcomed the custodial terms handed down to Bryan Baxter, Andrew Wheatley, Alex Hannah and Ben Jones, saying it sends the right message to thugs intent on causing late night mayhem.

Baxter, 19, of Peghouse Rise, Wheatley, 20, of Park Road, Hannah, 21, of Upper Washwell, Painswick and Jones, 19, of Union Street, were all sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court on Thursday.

Baxter and Wheatley were jailed for six months, Jones got four-and-a-half months and Hannah received four months.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC condemned the four, saying drink-fuelled violence was a major problem.

"It has caused many decent people to avoid going out in public late at night for fear of what might happen to them," he said.

Three other men also appeared in court.

Allan Lusty, 21, of Cutler Street, Stroud is awaiting sentence for causing actual bodily harm.

Nicky Francis, 24, of Arundel Mill Lane, Stroud was also involved in a street fight, albeit in a less serious manner.

He was fined £500, ordered to pay £100 costs and must complete a 100-hour community punishment order.

And former soldier Stephen Parker, 23, of the Beagles, Cashes Green, Stroud got a 140 hour community punishment order and must pay £100 in costs.

Baxter, Wheatley and Lusty admitted causing actual bodily harm to a 19-year-old man in King's Stanley on January 8.

Wheatley also pleaded guilty to damaging the victim's car.

In addition, Wheatley and Hannah pleaded guilty to fighting in Stroud town centre on May 1.

And Baxter, Parker, Francis, and Jones pleaded guilty to being involved in another town centre fight on June 26.

James Cranfield, prosecuting, said on January 8, Baxter, Lusty and Wheatley approached a man's car.

Baxter and Lusty dragged the man out, punched and kicked him while Wheatley smashed the windscreen.

He said Hannah was the main aggressor in May 1 incident, when he punched and kicked a man lying on the floor in a Stroud street brawl.

Anjali Gohil, for Wheatley, said the violence was sparked by long running rivalry between groups from Stroud and Stonehouse.

Giles Nelson, for Baxter, said his client was ashamed of his behaviour.

James Tucker represented Hannah and Jones. Hannah had been binge drinking and over reacted, he said, while Jones had initially tried to stop the fight.

Insp Nick Holmes, of Stroud police, welcomed the custodial sentences.

"We are working hard to clampdown on violent and anti-social behaviour in Stroud," he said.

"Most people can enjoy a drink and a night out without getting involved in violence or criminal incidents.

"Those that can't need to know that we will take any transgression extremely seriously."