Bending
Ms Saffman said: “They were seen kicking and pulling out flowers from beds. CCTV showed them running around and pulling up plants.
“Further damage was done by bending an army silhouette soldier statue.
“Their identities were confirmed and they were seen in Rochdale police station that evening.”
Martin Taylor, head of environmental management at Rochdale Council, said: “I am appalled at the disrespect shown to our soldiers.
“Our silhouettes were installed at various locations across the borough to commemorate the end of World War One and those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
“The display was so people have a place to remember their fallen – this abhorrent, mindless vandalism is saddening and unacceptable. It shows nothing but disrespect to our veterans and their friends… it’s shocking.
David Feingold, defending all four of the yobs, said: “They were on a drunken rampage. They didn’t mean to show disrespect.
“All four accept responsibility for the damage they caused.
“It was not intended but they did stamp on flowers. That is what effect drink can have. However, they voluntarily family and went to the police station and accept the distasteful event. They are very remorseful.
“They all work and are regularly engaged.
“One of them is studying psychology and criminal behaviour at university, so this is something for him to think about.”
The court heard that Hall is a courier, Taylor a carpenter, McBurnie works at Argos and Hart is the criminology student.
Hart spoke in court on behalf of the four to apologise, adding: “We meant no disrespect to the soldiers.
“We just weren’t in the right frame of mind at all.
“We are genuinely, sorry.”
In a letter to magistrates, Rochdale Council said of the incident: genuinely “The silhouette soldier was damaged beyond repair in an act of vandalism.
“A temporary repair was made and we are disgusted about what happened to it.”
Magistratess ordered the four to each complete 40 hours of unpaid community work, and pay £570 compensation between them to replace the items damaged.