Three members of a violent drug gang have been jailed for more than 50 years.

The gang made thousands of pounds profit as its members sold cocaine and cannabis on the streets of Worthing.

But they became known for their brutal treatment of anyone who crossed them.

One man, who owed the gang money for a drug debt, was slashed with a Stanley Knife as a "punishment" after he refused to travel abroad to pick up a drug consignment.

Following an eight-week trial at Hove Crown Court, three members of the gang were sentenced yesterday.

Gang leader Jordan Moore, 26, who continued to master-mind his business from behind bars while he was held on remand in prison following his arrest, was sentenced to 19 years in jail.

The father-of-two, of Cotswold Road, Durrington, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis and to possessing criminal property, which were items he bought with the proceeds of his crimes, including cars and watches.

He was convicted by a jury of ordering an attack on David James, who suffered serious injuries when he was knifed in a street in Worthing in December 2007.

Moore was the head of the organisation, which operated for about four years until August last year.

Following his arrest he continued to issue instructions to others in his gang by mobile phone from prison.

He issued orders for drugs to be collected and debts recovered and also organised packages of drugs to be thrown over the wall into jails, including Lewes Prison, where they were picked up by inmates.

During the trial one dealer working for the gang admitted carrying out deals of between £7,000 and £20,000 a week for a time.

Judge Richard Hayward told Moore: "You were the controlling force of this operation. While in prison you were still pulling the strings of the organisation.

"You under-pined your authority with violence."

Jonathan Reeve, who was known as the "enforcer", was sentenced to 21 years jail.

Reeve, 29, of Jarvis Road, Arundel, denied causing grievous bodily harm plus conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis but was convicted by the jury.

Robert Standen, 24, of Canberra Road, Worthing, was sentenced to 13 years. He was convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis and had earlier admitted possessing cocaine, cannabis and amphetamine with intent to supply.

He was also found guilty of having an explosive substance after a crude device was found at his home made from fireworks taped together.

Police were unable to find out what the device was for but during the trial the court heard that a rival drug dealers car had been fire-bombed.

Seven other members of the gang will be sentenced later this week and in September. They include Moore's girlfriend, Carrie Ann McGree, 23, also of Cotswold Close, and his mother Maxine Moore, 55, of Cheviot Road, Worthing, who were both convicted of possessing criminal property.

Superintendant Lance Gray, of West Downs Division of Sussex Police, welcomed the lengthy sentences. He said: "This gang of people have preyed upon weak individuals desperate for drugs.

"The level of violence used by this gang has, in my experience, been a total outrage.

"The heavy sentences handed out are a warning for other people in the Worthing area who think that their criminal bullying methods are immune to justice.

"They existed as a significant local criminal group with an influence on the drug trade in Worthing. They have bought misery to dozens of people. They have done everything possible to wriggle out of their responsibility."