Man handed longest August riots sentence

A man has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for his role in the August riots – the longest term handed down yet in relation to the disruptions.

Junior Saunders, 36, pleaded guilty to two charges of violent disorder, two counts of criminal damage to a police car and two separate burglaries – picking up five years in prison. The sentence is to date the heaviest handed down to anyone involved in the August riots across England.

Saunders was spotted on CCTV using a cycle lock to seriously damage two police vehicles, later targeting police officers with stepladders and other items. He was then seen breaking into the back of a lorry, handing out planks of wood to passing rioters that were involved in attacks buses filled with passengers.

Saunders was then caught attacking an opticians in Mare Street, Hackney, before moving on to a Tesco which he attacked with a shovel. He completed his rampage with further attacks on police, throwing missiles in the early hours of 9 August. CCTV imaging allowed police to track him down to a property in Hackney where further evidence was gathered to assist with the eventual sentencing at Wood Green Court.

“The conviction of Junior Saunders is a strong example of the painstaking work that is still going on to bring to justice those responsible for disorder on 8 August,” said Hackney Police borough commander, Steve Bending. “I am pleased that in sentencing him to five years imprisonment, the court has recognised the role he played at numerous scenes of the disorder and his appalling behaviour throughout.”