Eight youths who committed more than 90 offences in the space of 13 months have been sentenced to a total of almost 16 years in detention.

A judge at the High Court in Edinburgh said their crimes painted "an appalling picture of lawlessness".

The sheriff at Elgin Sheriff Court had referred the eight to the high court after deciding that his punishment powers were inadequate.

The people of these areas have been quite simply terrorised by you, sometimes acting alone, sometimes acting together

Lord Abernethy

The offences in the Highland towns of Elgin and Lossiemouth included car theft, house breaking, vandalism and assault between January 2001 and March 2002.

The teenagers' individual sentences ranged from five years to five months in a young offenders' institution.

Lord Abernethy told them: "The people of these areas have been quite simply terrorised by you, sometimes acting alone, sometimes acting together."

He said it was a "disturbing aspect" of the case that the offences were often committed after they had taken drugs and indulged in under-age drinking.

The heaviest sentence of five years' detention was imposed on 16-year-old Kris Orton, who admitted 16 offences.

'No excuse'

The most serious offences included robbery, what the judge described as "cowardly and vicious assaults" on two pensioners and a threat to petrol bomb the home of a sheriff.

Lord Abernethy said he had carried out "a shocking catalogue of offending with no excuse of justification whatever".

A 14-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to three years for a total of 32 offences - mostly committed at the age of 13.

"That is a truly shocking situation," commented the judge.

The other sentences were:

• 28 months for William Christie, 16, of Ontario Court, Elgin. He admitted 10 charges, including assault and robbery, vandalism, break-in and theft

• 21 months for Bruce Scott, 16, who admitted 16 charges. Most were in connection with vehicles, including theft, intent to steal and driving without a licence

• 15 months for Bryan McNeill, 16, of Beechfield Road, Elgin, who admitted six charges, including break-ins, breach of the peace and possession of a knife

• 15 months for Sean Young, 16, of Fairisle Place, Lossiemouth, who admitted seven charges including break-ins, theft and vandalism

• Nine months for Hugh Wilson, 17, from Llanbryde, who admitted three charges including possession of a knife

• Five months for Calum Wilson, 19, who admitted a single charge - breaking into a house in Lossiemouth.

The list of 91 offences is thought to have been one of the longest to go before a Scottish court.

The cost of the police operation could be as high as �250,000 - but the Grampian force said it was very pleased with the sentences.

Inspector David Jenkins said there had been a noticeable reduction in crime in the area since the youths had been taken into custody.

Kris Orton was sentenced to five years

He explained that a strategy had been adopted which enabled to youths to be brought to court together on one large indictment rather than being dealt with by the courts in a "piecemeal" fashion.

Elgin Community Council chairwoman Roma Hossack said: "I hope that what the sheriff and the judge have done will send a signal to the youngsters out there."

On Thursday, lawyers for the youths failed in an attempt to have them freed on a technicality.

Their argument related to the wording of an indictment - even though the teenagers had pleaded guilty.

However, Lord Abernethy said he did not have the power to consider the matter.

The legal issue is expected to be challenged on appeal.