A TEENAGE girl rifles the pockets of an innocent stranger as he lies unconscious on the ground after a gang of youths beat him senseless in an unprovoked attack.

Sickening CCTV pictures show Gemma Stafford, 18, searching the man's body as the gang continue to kick and punch him.

The shocking film was used to convict Stafford and four youths for their parts in the attack - yet they were still each only given between 18 months and four years in jail.

Stafford, of Hilltop Drive, Kirkholt, Rochdale, lied to police about her involvement in the attack, and only admitted what she had done when confronted with the video evidence.

Even then, she claimed she couldn't remember the attack or what happened in the time leading up to it, blaming alcohol for her memory loss.

The 27-year-old victim, despite having been repeatedly kicked and punched about the body and head, amazingly suffered no major injuries.

Bolton Crown Court heard the man came across the gang as he walked through Rochdale town centre on to Yorkshire Street in the early hours of Saturday, March 15.

They started arguing with him - and he pretended to use his mobile phone to call for help in a bid to stop them harassing him. As he walked away Stafford led the group, following him and shaking her hand in front of her face in an aggressive gesture.

The group then surrounded him and he was punched on the back of the head by one of the youths, Andrew Harbourne, 19, before being knocked off his feet by a second punch thrown by Stuart Shaw, 20.

The court was told that Shaw and Harbourne, together with a third youth, Joshua McErlean, 19, and a 17-year-old youth, continued to punch, kick and stamp on the victim's head.

Three of the group then ran off, leaving Stafford and Shaw to search through the man's pockets. Stafford also turned the victim over, searching for more money, without any regard to his injuries.

While Stafford stole from the unconscious man, Shaw continued to kick the victim's head, and even took a last running kick as the pair made off.

Det Sgt Lee Johnson, of Rochdale CID, said after the case: "This was a vicious and unprovoked attack and it is only by sheer luck the victim wasn't permanently injured. Their actions were sickening to watch, and were mindless violence at its worst."

Stafford was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and theft.

Shaw, of Bridge Street, Heywood, near Rochdale, was sentenced to four years after pleading guilty to assault and violent disorder.

Harbourne, of Clever Street, Burnley, was sentenced to four years after pleading guilty to violent disorder and assault.

And McErlean, of Bury Road, Rochdale, was given four years after admitting assault and violent disorder.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to 18 months' youth detention after pleading guilty to assault and violent disorder.