Edinburgh thugs who threw bricks and fireworks at police during Halloween riot spared jail
A police officer was left permanently scarred and had to receive therapy after the ordeal
A teenager who seriously injured a police officer after launching a brick through the window of a police van during Halloween riots in Niddrie two years ago has escaped a jail sentence.
Kieran Sutherland, 19, left PC Joanne Hiroz with permanent scarring after he threw the large stone at the vehicle during a night of disorder in October 2024.
CCTV released by the Crown shows the moment the masked thug lobbed the brick that smashed through the window of the van and struck the constable in the face.
Sutherland pled guilty to culpably and recklessly throwing the brick at the officer when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier this year.
He returned to the dock for sentencing on June 9, where Sheriff Julius Komorowski was told PC Hiroz had been left with permanent scars and had to undergo therapy sessions following her ordeal.
Sheriff Komorowski said he had to take into account the Crown had accepted Sutherland’s guilty plea to a charge of culpable and reckless conduct, and not to one of assault.
The sheriff said: “I have to assess this as dangerous behaviour causing injury.
“It was obviously dangerous that was part of the disorder, and was against a police officer who has suffered scarring and lasting psychological impact.”
The sheriff deferred sentence on Sutherland for three months for him to gain employment and said he is considering imposing unpaid work and a compensation order on his return.
Co-accused Sean McGovern and Nathan Anderson also pled guilty to serious offences during the same court hearing.
McGovern, 18, admitted smashing a police van windscreen with a firework and Anderson pleaded guilty to igniting and aiming fireworks at police officers.
He also threw bricks at vehicles and members of the public and incited other members of the mob to join in with the violent attacks.
All three pleaded guilty to offences aggravated by use of a firework in relation to an emergency worker.
Sheriff Komorowski described McGovern’s conduct as “deeply disturbing and concerning” and said throwing a firework at a police vehicle was “an incredibly dangerous thing to do”.
McGovern was sentenced to 300 hours of unpaid work and given a restriction of movement curfew which means he must stay within his home between 10pm and 6am for six months.
Anderson, 21, was also sentenced to an unpaid work order of 300 hours as punishment for his part in the disorder.
Previously, the court was shown CCTV footage of the rioting where a large gang of masked youths were seen making their way along Niddrie Mains Road on October 31, 2024.
Prosecutor Emma Laing played several video clips to the court showing the individuals launching fireworks and objects at police officers and vehicles.
Ms Laing said PC Hiroz was left with a serious cut to her head after being struck by the brick thrown by Sutherland.
The fiscal said two officers were forced to retreat back into their vehicle after spotting a large group walking towards them at around 9pm.
The van was subsequently bombarded with fireworks, and an explosive thrown by McGovern had caused the windscreen to crack.
The court was told the three rioters, all from Edinburgh, were all identified after being caught on CCTV footage and were later arrested and charged.