The crew was pelted with rocks and bottles during the riot

Martin Wason, 19, was convicted last month of four assaults and breach of the peace, all caused by religious prejudice, in Coatbridge.

He and 17 other youths threw bottles, stones and fence posts at the crew as they fought a school fire.

One fireman was off work for three weeks after the riot in December 2003.

Passing sentence at Airdrie Sheriff Court, Sheriff Alfred Vannet told Wason: "You were the ringleader of a prolonged and serious attack on members of the emergency services in their line of duty.

'Exceptional sentences'

"Courts will mark offences of this nature with exceptional sentences and I only just find it within my powers to deal with you rather than remit the case to the High Court for sentence.

"It must have been a very frightening experience for the firefighters, who sadly have changed their approach to the job."

The crew had been called to tackle a significant blaze at Carnbroe Primary School when the trouble began.

Firefighters work to protect our communities so why on earth someone thinks it is a good idea to attack them defies belief Brian Sweeney Strathclyde chief fire officer

Leading firefighter John Kearney told a six-day trial that the youths were shouting and swearing, calling the them the "Queen's 11".

The crowd sang Irish Republican songs then threw missiles including fenceposts dug up from gardens.

One fireman was hit on the face by a bottle, another was struck on the face by stones and a third was on crutches after being kicked on a knee.

During the attack, the youths shouted that the crew should be ashamed of being Catholics but working for the Queen.

Wason, of Southfield Crescent, Greenend, Coatbridge, claimed that the riot began after he was pushed and kicked in the chest by Mr Kearney.

The trial also heard that the crew made four calls to the police for assistance but that it took 55 minutes for them to arrive.

CCTV trial

Brigade chiefs have been concerned about a rise in the number of attacks on firefighters.

CCTV cameras have been installed on fire engines on a trial basis, leading to at least one conviction of people who assaulted the crew.

Strathclyde's chief fire officer Brian Sweeney welcomed the sentence and said he hoped it acted as a deterrent.

"I think the courts have sent a very clear message today that this is totally unacceptable," Mr Sweeney said.

"Firefighters in our communities are facing enough risks with the incidents they have to deal with.