A GANG of drug addicts responsible for a spate of raids on York colleges were today all starting prison sentences.

Twins Andrew and Gavin Horsman, both 21, attacked project manager James Petrie at York College when he spotted them acting suspiciously in a community studies block, said Geraldine Kelly, prosecuting at York Crown Court.

They and Patrick Stuart Priestley, also 21, between them carried out eight cash raids on Askham Bryan College, York St John College, York College, Huntington School, Poppleton Community Centre and a students' union between October 2 and October 17. Some establishments were targeted more than once.

Andrew Horsman was on bail at the time for three raids on Huntington and Joseph Rowntree schools in April during which, with help from a fourth burglar, he snatched computer equipment.

When York magistrates ordered him to be remanded in custody on October 23, he attempted to leap from the dock, but Group 4 staff caught him.

Miss Kelly said he told the dock officers: "It was worth a try."

Andrew Horsman, of Fifth Avenue, Tang Hall, pleaded guilty to eight burglaries and one attempted escape and was jailed for 23 months.

Gavin Horsman, also of Fifth Avenue, pleaded guilty to four burglaries and Priestley, of Marston Avenue, Chapelfields, to three. Both were jailed for 12 months. Priestley started his raids only two weeks after starting a community rehabilitation order.

Barristers for all three said they had had drug habits, but were now "clean".

For Gavin Horsman, Glenn Parsons said his client was working for Teesside Wildlife Trust as part of a course leading to a qualification in animal work.

For Andrew Horsman, Nicholas Barker said his client had used his time on remand to improve his education.

For Priestley, Sian Morris said his client was immature.

Updated: 10:36 Saturday, March 08, 2003