300 hours of unpaid work and a £1,000 for permanently scaring someone - it hardly sends a message to deter others committing a similar act. And the Scot Gov wonder why many people have no faith in the justice system in this country?!
Masked teen who launched brick through police window during Halloween disorder handed community payback order
A teenager who left a police officer with a serious head injury after throwing a brick at a van she was travelling in has been ordered to pay the constable compensation.
Kieran Sutherland launched the missile at the police vehicle carrying PC Joanne Hiroz during a Halloween night riot in Niddrie, Edinburgh in 2024.
Sutherland, 19, was a member of masked gang who attacked police officers with fireworks and bricks during the night of disorder that broke out in several areas of the Capital in October 2024.
PC Hiroz has been left permanently scarred and suffering from psychological issues following the brutal attack by the teen.
Sutherland was later identified following a large scale police investigation and he pleaded guilty to a charge of culpable and reckless conduct during a hearing at the city’s sheriff court earlier this year.
CCTV of the incident released by the Crown captured the moment Sutherland launched the brick through the window of the marked police vehicle and struck the officer in the face.
Sutherland, of Niddrie, Edinburgh, returned to the dock for sentencing on Tuesday where Sheriff Julius Komorowski sentenced him to a community payback order as an alternative to custody.
Sutherland will have to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work and was placed on a 20 month supervision order.
The sheriff also imposed a compensation order of £1000.
Following the court hearing, Faith Currie, Procurator Fiscal for Edinburgh, Lothian and Borders, said: “This was a serious assault on a female police officer which was deeply distressing and left her with lasting physical injuries.
“She had been responding to criminal behaviour that was causing concern within the community when she was subjected to this violence.
“This case highlights the significant risks police officers face as they perform challenging and important roles to protect and support their communities.
“They are entitled to carry out those duties in safety, free from violence, intimidation and fear.”
Co-accused Sean McGovern and Nathan Anderson, both from Edinburgh, were sentenced earlier this year for their part in the Halloween Night disorder.
McGovern, 18, admitted smashing a police van windscreen with a firework in an attack described by Sheriff Komorowski as “deeply disturbing and concerning”.
He was sentenced to a 300 hour unpaid work order and a restriction of movement curfew where he must stay within his home between 10pm and 6am for six months.
Anderson, 21, pleaded guilty to igniting and aiming fireworks at police officers and throwing bricks at vehicles and members of the public.
He also incited other members of the mob to join in with the violent attacks and was sentenced to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work in the community.
The three accused, all from Edinburgh, pleaded guilty to offences said to be aggravated by use of a firework in relation to an emergency worker.
Previously the court was shown CCTV footage of the rioting where a mob of masked youths were seen making their way along Niddrie Mains Road on October 31, 2024.
The video clips captured the group launching fireworks and missiles at police officers and vehicles deployed to the area in a bid to halt the violence.
Fiscal depute Emma Laing told the court PC Hiroz suffered a serious injury to her head after being struck by the brick thrown by Sutherland and has been left permanently scarred.
The prosecutor also described an incident where two officers were forced to retreat back into their vehicle after a large group of yobs targeted them at around 9pm.
The police van was subsequently bombarded with fireworks and an explosive thrown by McGovern caused the windscreen to crack.
The court was told Sutherland, McGovern and Anderson had all been identified after being caught on CCTV footage and were later arrested and charged.