Monday 23 May 2022 10:10 PM Kill the Bill rioter, 31, who set fire to a police van is jailed for five years trends now
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Matthew O'Neill, 30, admitted riot and arson and has been jailed for five years
A Kill the Bill rioter who set fire to a police van and used an officer's shield to fan the flames has been jailed for five years.
Matthew O'Neill, 31, admitted charges of riot and arson at a previous hearing at Bristol Crown Court on what would have been the first day of his trial.
Footage from March 21, 2021 showed O'Neill using lit items to set a police vehicle on fire.
O'Neill, of Patchway, South Gloucestershire, also wielded a chair to smash the front window of a police van already well ablaze.
He also used a police shield and baton to attack officers, as well as cause damage to the front of Bridewell Police Station.
At today's hearing, Judge Patrick said O'Neill was part of a group which 'hijacked' a peaceful protest that 'became aggressive in an immediate, menacing and threatening way'.
Following 16 other prosecutions, the
