Eighteen months sentence for rioter

A man who threw a petrol bomb at two police landrovers during rioting has been sentenced to eighteen months.

John Patrick Duffy, of 30 Swilly Gardens, pleaded guilty to throwing the petrol bomb during public disturbances following the annual Apprentice Boys parade on August 13, last year.

Derry Crown Court heard that the 37-year-old was drunk when he threw the petrol bomb at police landrovers from the Fahan Street area.

He hit one of the police vehicles, setting both it and a second landrover on fire.

Duffy went into one of the houses in Fahan Street and was arrested a short time later in the living room of the house.

It was revealed to the court at an earlier hearing that Duffy took the “unusual step” of delivering a letter to each of the residents of Fahan Street to express his regret and shame at his actions.

Passing sentence, Judge Piers Grant said he had “no doubt theoffence was born out of the consumption of alcohol” but said alcohol was “not an excuse in cases like this.”

He said he accepted it was “out of character” for the 37-year-old, who had a clear criminal record, however said a custodial sentence must be imposed to punish Duffy and deter others from throwing petrol bombs.

The judge said the petrol “could have easily got into that vehicle and put lives, or at least the health of those police officers, at jepoardy and the courts must reflect that in sentences.”

He added: “Those who were engaged in rioting and others who were throwing petrol bombs might like to stop and reflect on what they have achieved from their behaviour on August 13.

“One would suggest nothing, other than someone like you going to jail.”

Duffy received a sentence of eighteen months, six months of this will be spent in custody and a further twelve months on licence.