Rioting student 'destroyed' chance of becoming lawyer

Aminadab Temesgen's barrister said his dream of becoming a lawyer would not happen "with this on his record"

A law student has "utterly destroyed" his chance of joining the profession after being caught throwing missiles during the Plymouth riots.

Aminadab Temesgen admitted violent disorder and was jailed for 14 months for his part in the city centre violence on 5 August.

Plymouth Crown Court heard how the 19-year-old, who is also a Sunday school teacher, had been caught on camera throwing a can and water bottle at police and a far-right group that had racially abused him.

Sentencing him, Judge Robert Linford said the teenager was a hard-working, decent person but his behaviour had "utterly destroyed" and "completely ruined" his plan to be a lawyer.

'No justification'

Temesgen's barrister Zoe Kuyken said the defendant had intended to stand on the anti-fascist side of the riots but accidentally ended up on the other side, where he suffered racial abuse.

She said he was studying law at university and had always wanted to be a lawyer but that would now not happen "with this on his record".

Judge Robert Linford said Temesgen, of Yellowmead Road, Plymouth, had "every justification to be mad and angry" at the racial abuse he suffered but there was "no justification" for throwing missiles and taking part in "widespread lawless behaviour".

The judge also jailed a 34-year-old Plymouth man for 20 months after he admitted violent disorder during the same incidents.

Jamie West, of Park Avenue, Devonport, was seen on footage swearing and gesticulating at police before throwing a stone towards anti-fascist protestors.

The father of four told police he had been drinking and went to protest about boats coming to Britain.