Jail term for Twelfth Landrover dancer
A man knocked unconscious by a water cannon as he danced on top of a police Landrover has been handed a five-month jail term.
James Clarke was blasted off the vehicle’s roof amid serious Twelfth of July disorder in north Belfast.
The 41-year-old, of Woodvale Avenue in the city, had also earlier kicked out at police lines.
He pleaded guilty to riotous behaviour after being shown CCTV footage of the street trouble.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard Clarke was part of a crowd gathered in the Woodvale area following a ban on an Orange Order parade going past the nearby nationalist Ardoyne district.
A prosecution lawyer said he was seen pulling others out of the way so he could get at police.
He kicked out at PSNI shields before climbing up onto a Landrover parked at the scene.
Defence solicitor Cathal Kelly said Clarke regrets his actions but has little memory of the incident because it happened amid a 12-hour drinking binge.
“Foolishly he became involved and he ended up standing on top of a Landrover,” the lawyer said.
“He was essentially dancing on the Landrover in an inebriated state. He wasn’t throwing missiles.”
Mr Kelly added: “The water cannon actually lifted him off his feet. He was knocked unconscious and immediately conveyed to hospital, sustaining a laceration to the head.
“His next memory is of waking up in hospital.”
Despite his submissions District Judge Fiona Bagnall ruled that Clarke’s behaviour and level of aggression warranted an immediate prison sentence.
Imposing a five-month jail term, she said: “Anybody who goes out and gets involved in these circumstances in this community knows exactly what they are getting into and have to take full responsibility.”
Clarke was later granted bail pending his appeal hearing listed for next week.
