Man jailed for involvement in summer riots

A Ballymena man has been handed a four-year sentence in connection to rioting in the town during the summer.

Jake Quigley, 21, from Drumtara, will serve two years in jail and a further two years under supervised licence conditions.

Sentencing Quigley at Antrim Crown Court on Wednesday, Judge Phillip Gilpin said that while he was not a leader or instigator, he had been “an active and persistent participant in the disorder”.

Quigley entered guilty pleas to a total of three offences including rioting, causing criminal damage to a property on Clonavon Terrace and causing damage to two police vehicles, all committed on 9 June 2025.

Judge Quigley said he was satisfied that the rioting “is aggravated by reason of hostility based on race”.

The judge said Quigley handed himself to police after images were released to the public in an appeal for information.

In footage recorded by police, the court heard that Quigley was seen using an umbrella to smash windows of a home on Clonavon Terrace and throwing masonry at police, smashing the rear window of one police vehicle and damaging the front headlight of a second police vehicle.

Judge Gilpin said he assessed both the harm caused by Quigley and his culpability, as high.

Speaking after sentencing Ch Insp Michael O’Loan said: “At the time, we assured the public that we will work tirelessly to restore calm and ensure that anyone who chooses to take part in this criminality is brought to justice.

“Our dedicated investigation team has worked tirelessly to ensure that those involved are prosecuted – today’s sentencing is one of many over this disorder.”

The police has appealed to anyone who has been the victim of such disorder or has any information to come forward.