<p><br /> A sixth-form student has been jailed for two years and eight months after admitting throwing a fire extinguisher from a roof in a riot.<br /> </p><p><br /> Edward Woollard, 18, joined protesters who stormed inside the Millbank complex in London, which houses the Tory Party headquarters, on November 10.<br /> </p><p><br /> He was filmed throwing an empty metal fire extinguisher from a seventh-floor rooftop as hundreds of people gathered in a courtyard below.<br /> </p><p><br /> Woollard, of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire, will serve at least half of his sentence for violent disorder in a young offenders institution.<br /> </p><p><br /> Judge Geoffrey Rivlin QC praised the teenager's mother for encouraging him to give himself up to police after he was pictured by media organisations during the rioting.<br /> </p><p><br /> The judge said: "It is deeply regrettable, indeed a shocking thing, for a court to have to sentence a young man such as you to a substantial term of custody. But the courts have a duty to provide the community with such protection from violence as they can and this means sending out a very clear message to anyone minded to behave in this way that an offence of this seriousness will not be tolerated."<br /> </p><p><br /> He added: "The right of peaceful protest is a precious one. Those who abuse it and use the occasion to indulge in serious violence must expect a lengthy sentence of immediate custody.<br /> </p><p><br /> "Nevertheless I shall take into account in your favour the extraordinary and courageous conduct of your mother, which resulted in you giving yourself up to the police so quickly."<br /> </p>
