AN angry mob shouted racist abuse at the gates of an Islamic college, sparking a confrontation with Muslim students, a court heard.

A bottle and stones were thrown after the group of drunken teenagers goaded residents at the college, in Willows Lane, Deane, in March last year.

Two of the group climbed the gates to confront students but were beaten up and taken to hospital, Bolton Crown Court was told.

Niall Briercliffe, Barry Lomax, Aaron Buckley and Bhavesh Patel all admitted affray.

Patel, aged 19, of Brandon Street, Daubhill, was first to enter the college but after he threw missiles about five students rounded on him, leaving him unconscious with a suspected fractured skull.

Defending Patel, Peter Cunliffe said: “His comments were out of character and given his heritage, it makes it all the more strange and deplorable he said those words.”

Buckley, aged 18, of Canterbury Grove, Daubhill, told a doctor he had been attacked with a cricket bat and hit in the face with a brick.

Defending Buckley Nick Ross said: “His provocative behaviour was absolutely unjustified.”

Police investigated the two defendants’ injuries but no charges were brought.

Briercliffe and Lomax stayed behind the gates of the college with a group of others, who swore, shouted racist abuse and some threw stones.

The late-night standoff followed an earlier, unrelated assault at the Willows pub, involving Briercliffe, Lomax and Patel, who also admitted assault.

The court heard they beat up Lee Chadwick in the car park of the pub following a disagreement.

Mr Chadwick, who was in his early 20s and was known to the group, was left unconscious with cuts above his eye and to his lip.

Sentencing, Recorder Brian Cummings QC said: “You went into the grounds of the college, making confrontation almost inevitable.”

Patel was given a 10- month sentence suspended for two years and ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £100 compensation.

Buckley was given a six-month sentence suspended for two years and ordered to complete 60 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £100 costs.

Lomax, aged 18, of Horeb Street, Bolton, was given a 10-month sentence suspended for two years and ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £100 compensation.

Briercliffe, aged 17, of Church Avenue, Daubhill, was given a 12-month youth rehabilitation order and ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work.