Rival gangs of Asian and white teenagers clash outside a Hyndburn high school

Blackburn magistrates heard sticks were used as weapons, stones thrown and a metal road sign hurled into a crowd. And the court heard the violent clash had been set up via Facebook following a fight between two students the day before.

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Two 17-year-olds, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to affray. One was made subject to a referral order for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to each of two teachers who were on duty at the time of the incident and tried to keep the rival factions apart.

The other youth was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report with the magistrates warning him they were considering imposing a detention and training order.

Dominic Howell, prosecuting, said the defendants were part of a larger group which turned up outside Rhyddings High School at home time. “Prior to this incident there had been a fight in the school between an Asian pupil and a white pupil,” said Mr Howell. “There was some posting on Facebook and the teachers believe this was some kind of reprisal and that it was racially motivated,” said Mr Howell. “The group these two were part of were intent on attacking Asian pupils.”

Mr Howell said the teachers who were outside the school at home time reported stones being thrown “Racial abuse was being thrown and several of the white youths were brandishing sticks,” said Mr Howell. “This was a large scale, pre-planned fight with racist elements,” said Mr Howell.

Jonathan Taylor, defending one of the youths, said threats had been made via Facebook by both sides.

“It would appear some of the students at the school were intent on violence as well,” said Mr Taylor. “My client understands that if he gets involved in an incident of this kind again he could be going to prison.”

The youth who was bailed for a pre-sentence report had a previous conviction for racially aggravated threatening behaviour and one for assault.