Farnborough Facebook party riot pair sentenced

Two men have been sentenced after taking part in a brawl nicknamed the "Facebook party riot" in Hampshire.

Keith Berger and James Mahabeer, both 19, were at the party in Chapel Lane, Farnborough, in July last year to which 200 uninvited guests turned up.

Berber, from Farnborough, admitted affray and Mahabeer, of Aldershot, admitted a public order offence.

Berber was given a suspended three-month jail sentence and Mahabeer was given a 12-month community order.

During sentencing at Winchester Crown Court, Berber was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

Panic buttons

The party had been arranged by teenage friends Jordan Wright and Seva Nurueva who had asked permission from their parents.

They had even handed out flyers to neighbours informing them of the event, stating that music would be turned down from 0100 BST.

But Jordan had promoted the event on the social networking site, on which he had about 500 friends.

Prosecuting, Gary Venturi said: "The party had been going to plan but got out of hand when 200 uninvited guests turned up."

He said police were forced to hit panic buttons and 70 officers from Hampshire and neighbouring Surrey were called to restore order.

Sentencing, Recorder Dermot Main Thompson said: "This was in any view disgraceful behaviour."

The court heard both men, who had previous convictions for violence and criminal damage, had since turned their lives around.