Nineteen year old Diego Audley was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday 23rd October, for his role in the disorder which occurred in Belfast last summer.

Audley pleaded guilty to riot and riotous behaviour at earlier hearings, and today was sentenced to a combination order of 80 hours community service and 1 year of probation.

Detective Chief Inspector McGrattan said: “In July and August last year disorder broke out across the city. Police were attacked and injured, and during the August disorder businesses belonging to ethnic backgrounds burnt out.

“On 16th July, police were deployed to public disorder in the area of Broadway Roundabout in Belfast where a large group of people had gathered. At around 9:20pm, police footage captured Audley, amongst a group of approximately 20 males, at the top of Broadway. On four separate occasions, Audley armed himself with masonry or similar and recklessly threw these projectiles in the direction of passing police vehicles on Glenmachan Street.

“There was further significant violent disorder in the areas of Sandy Row and Donegall Road on 3rd August, with similar incidents of rioting and projectiles being thrown at properties and police. Several properties were burnt out and significant damage was caused.

At around 8:15pm, police footage captured Mr Audley sitting on a bicycle as part of a crowd gathered at the junction of Sandy Row and Donegall Road, watching the disorder. He was in the company of a group of more than 30 people, some of whom threw objects at Police for a sustained period of time. Mr Audley was later seen carrying masonry and throwing objects at Police lines from short range alongside a group of young males.

“The work carried out by our dedicated Public Order Enquiry Team has been instrumental in bringing those involved to justice, who will face the full rigours of the law for their despicable actions. To date 13 adults have been sentenced for related offences and our wider investigation continues.

“We continue to appeal to anyone who has been the victim of, or has any information on, any crime to contact Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency. We can assure you that we will always act on concerns and information we receive.”

Alternatively, a report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/. Should you wish to make a report anonymously, you can do so by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org.