THREE men have been jailed for stirring up hatred against homosexuals by posting threatening leaflets through doors in Derby.

Ihjaz Ali, Kabir Ahmed and Razwan Javed were yesterday locked up for a total of four-and-a-half years for distributing the flyers.

They contained a picture of a mannequin swinging from a noose and carried the words "Death Penalty?".

Gay rights campaigners said the prison terms would send out a "clear message" to stop other people spreading homophobia.

In delivering the sentences, Judge John Burgess said the case was the first of its kind, with the three men being the first to be charged with stirring up hatred against gay people since a law was passed in 2010.

He said: "In the course of evidence we heard what effect reading that leaflet had upon four homosexual men.

"Your intention was to do great harm in a peaceful community."

During a trial which concluded last month, Derby Crown Court heard that the distribution of the leaflet had been part of a protest mounted by a group of Muslim men against the annual Gay Pride parade in Derby in 2010.

It was handed out near the Jamia Mosque in Rosehill Street, Derby, as well as posted through people's letterboxes in the neighbourhood in July of that year.

In the trial, the three men admitted playing a part in distributing the leaflet but they all denied it was threatening or was intended to stir up hatred against the gay community.

The leaflet stated the Islamic verdict on anyone caught committing homosexuality was to apply capital punishment to both parties.

Following a police investigation, Ali, 41, Javed, 31, and Ahmed, 28, were charged with distributing the leaflet, together with Mehboob Hussain, 45, of Rosehill Street, Derby and Umar Javed, 38, of Whittaker Street.

Hussain and Umar Javed were found not guilty following the trial.

Yesterday, Ali, of Fairfax Road was sentenced to two years in prison, while Javed, of Wilfred Road, and Ahmed, of Madeley Street, were given 15 months each.

Judge Burgess said Ali had been the leader in organising the leaflet campaign.

He said: "I have read expressions of remorse from each of you.

"They would have carried far more weight had you pleaded guilty and acknowledged your culpability but it may be the case that you do now recognise the fact that what you did was wrong."

Speaking after the sentencing, Andy Cave, from gay rights campaign group Derbyshire Friend, said he hoped the sentencing would dissuade others from similar activity.

He said: "When these leaflets went out there was a really big impact. It isolated people in their homes and made them insecure.

"These sentences send out a clear message."