Rioter says ‘sorry’ to policewoman
The Spanish man who dropped a concrete block on a policewoman during Twelfth of July riots in Ardoyne last year, causing serious injury, said ‘sorry’ to her in court on Tuesday.
Rodger Jarro Costa, 29, pleaded guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to the officer at Belfast Crown Court – with the victim sitting just feet away in the public gallery.
“Why don’t you turn around and say you are sorry – she is the one who has had to go through this awful event,” Judge Tom Burgess told him, prompting Costa to turn around.
“I’m sorry for the injuries I caused,” he said.
Costa – originally from Spain, but with an address at Ulsterville Avenue in south Belfast – had already pleaded guilty to rioting, but the second guilty plea came as his trial for attempted GBH was due to begin.
The female PSNI constable was knocked to the ground when the concrete block hit her during Twelfth-related trouble in the flashpoint area of the Ardoyne shops in north Belfast.
“I felt incredible force hit me on the back of the head and shoulders,” she said in her statement. “I remember the horrifying sound I made as I fell. The pain to my neck and back was instant and excruciating.”
The woman was one of 48 police officers injured during three nights of violence, after which 26 men were arrested.
Two other men, both from Belfast, also pleaded guilty on Tuesday to riot-related charges.
Stephen James Fox, 34 and from Chulainn House in Victoria Parade, admitted rioting and attempting to cause criminal damage to police landrovers, – while 45-year-old Hugh Toal, from Alliance Avenue, pleaded guilty to rioting.
It means all 26 men accused of serious public order offences have now pleaded guilty. They will all be sentenced over the course of two days at the start of July.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Little, who headed the team dedicated to probing the Ardoyne disorder, welcomed Tuesday’s outcome.
“Following the disturbances last year, we made a commitment to the community to do everything possible to bring those responsible before the courts,” he said.
“The team carried out a thorough and painstaking investigation and 40 people – 26 adults and 14 juveniles – were brought before the court. Those 40 people have now been convicted and we welcome this positive outcome.”
District Commander Chief Superintendent Mark Hamilton added that the guilty pleas vindicated the policing operation and he thanked the public for offering vital information.
“By coming forward, members of the local community sent out a message to those involved that they would not tolerate the sort of behaviour that was on display,” he said.
“This is also a timely reminder to all that anyone engaged in disorder will be investigated and will face the full rigours of the law. As we’ve seen today, they run the risk of being arrested, prosecuted and ending up with criminal records.”
