Harry Potter star Jamie Waylett jailed over riot disorder

 

James Edgar
Tuesday 20 March 2012 16:49 GMT
Jamie Waylett was today found guilty of violent disorder during last summer's riots
Jamie Waylett was today found guilty of violent disorder during last summer's riots (Getty Images)

A star of the Harry Potter films was today sentenced to two years in prison for being part of a violent mob which took to the streets during last summer's riots in London.

Jamie Waylett, 22, who played Hogwarts bully Vincent Crabbe in six of the films, was found guilty of violent disorder by a jury at London's Wood Green Crown Court.

The actor, who had already admitted swigging from a stolen bottle of Champagne during the rioting, was cleared of intending to destroy or damage property with a petrol bomb he was pictured holding.

Waylett already has a previous conviction for cannabis possession.

Waylett, of Hillfield Road, north-west London, was with a gang of at least four people who went into Chalk Farm on August 8, the third night of violence in the capital.

He was captured on CCTV at various points during the evening, often with his hood over his head.

The footage shows him accepting a bottle of champagne from a rioter who had just looted the supermarket he was standing outside.

Judge Simon Carr sentenced the actor to two years for violent disorder and 12 months for handling stolen goods, to run concurrently.

Jailing him, the judge said: "A considerable amount has been said about what happened over those few days. Anyone watching the footage in this case can only imagine the mayhem that took place on the streets.

"You chose to go out on to the streets on what was the third day of the violence.

"The footage shows you in the near vicinity of a Sainsbury's in Camden which was being looted.

"You were pictured on a number of occasions with a bottle full of petrol with a rag as a wick.

"I accept entirely the jury's verdict that you did not throw or have any intention of throwing it, but merely being in possession of it would have been terrifying to anyone who saw you."

Judge Carr told Waylett he would be eligible for release after a year in jail.

The star, who had a shaved head and a goatee beard, wore a white shirt with an open collar and a dark suit to hear the sentencing.

He nodded to the public gallery as he was led down to the cells.

PA

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