Student jailed over fees protest

A student who threw a metal fire extinguisher from the roof of a building during the student fees protests has been sentenced to two years and eight months’ imprisonment.

Edward Woollard, 18, joined protesters who stormed the Millbank complex in London that houses Conservative Party headquarters on 10 November.

In court on Monday, Woollard apologised for his behaviour, saying: “When I was told I had potentially endangered people, I felt sick.”

Recalling his behaviour, he said: “Someone partially emptied a fire extinguisher. I then took the fire extinguisher and I emptied the rest. When the extinguisher was emptied, I lobbed it to go into a gap in the crowd below.

“I was absolutely not intending that anyone in any way would be hurt. Very soon afterwards, I realised it was something I should not have done. I regret bitterly what I did.”

“When I was told I had potentially endangered people, I felt sick.” Edward Woollard

The sixth-former from Hampshire had hoped to be the first member of his family to go on to higher education. He attended the protest with friends from his college, travelling to London by coach.

His barrister, Zahir Hossein, said Woollard acted in a “moment of madness” and the offence had “jeopardised his future and prospects”.

Describing the crime as “repulsive”, Mr Hossein said Woollard was “horrified at what he did” and had simply become “caught up in the moment”

‘Courageous’ mother

Judge Geoffrey Rivlin QC praised his mother, Tanya Garwood, for her “extraordinary and courageous conduct” in persuading Wollard to give himself up. But sentencing him, the judge said the public had a right to protection from violence.

He said: “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.”

The judge added: “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.”

See exclusive footage obtained by Channel 4 News from the day of the student protests, inside 30 Millbank

The judge also said he took into account the defendant’s age, his guilty plea at the earliest opportunity and the fact that he had no previous convictions.

Tanya Garwood, who was joined at Southwark Crown Court by friends and relatives, broke down in tears as her son was sentenced. She declined to comment but said earlier that he deserved to be punished.

Woollard was one of hundreds of students who split away from the protests and gathered outside Tory party headquarters. Several dozen people smashed their way inside the complex, breaking furniture and windows, while others chanted and lit fires outside.

More than 54 people involved in widespread disorder and criminal damage on that day have been arrested.