19-year-old handed 80 hours community service

A Belfast 19-year-old has been ordered to carry out 80 hours community service and given two years probation for his involvement in rioting in the city in August 2024.

Diego Audley, of Mahee Close in the Belvoir estate, had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of riotously assembling along with others.

Belfast Crown Court heard that in the summer of 2024 there had been a “spike” in public disorder across the UK with police and businesses being attacked.

A prosecution lawyer said Belfast “bore the brunt” of such behaviour in that time and experienced “civil unrest”.

The rioting, which took place in Sandy Row and Donegall Road on 3 August, saw police being attacked as well as businesses being burnt during “racially-motivated attacks throughout the city”.

The prosecution barrister told the court that Audley “was observed by the PSNI’s Public Order Enquiry Team along with air support being involved in the disorder”.

The court heard that the accused was observed throwing masonry at a police Land Rover as well as throwing bottles at a police truck and a brick in the direction of officers.

The court heard footage also showed Audley almost being struck with a plastic bullet.

Audley reportedly made no comment in replies to questions during a police interview but disputed the description of him as a rioter.

Judge Gordon Kerr KC said he had to take into account the defendant’s age and maturity at the time of the commissioning of the offence, as the court was told the defendant has special educational needs.

A pre-sentence report said Audley now understood the problems his offending had caused in the community.

“Had this case proceeded as a hate crime it is inevitable that the court would have imposed an immediate custodial sentence,” said Judge Kerr.

“However, this matter was reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) and it was decided not to pursue this case as a hate crime.”

The judge said he considered a combination of community service and probation a “direct alternative” to prison.

Following sentencing, PSNI Det Ch Insp McGrattan said Audley “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.”