Fire extinguisher throwing eighteen year old

Yes, I think the sentence is way over the top.

And this from a government who want to reduce prison numbers, especially for lower order crimes

I think it's ridiculous - he'd have got less for actually hurting someone in a pub brawl or mugging!

I think its ridiculous TBH.

I've known serious , violent crimes to ebe commited only to be handed community service sentances, or suspended sentances. These are people who have violent beaten people - completely intentionally knowing they are hurting them.

this stupid, stupid kid did something wrong, very wrong.

but to go to jail for nearly 3 years??

no.
there are much more dangerous people out there who really DO pose a threat to the general public who I feel should be in that cell instead of him.

Justice isn't a politics-free zone. It responds to public opinion, sets examples and reflects judges opinions. The fraudulent MP last week got 18 months and there's probably another one going to join him soon. A regular Joe guilty of the same thing would proably get a community order. Extinguisher man was part of a anti-government mob that broke into a building, terrifying innocent office staff and endangering lives... and if he's 'made an example of' within the scope of the possible sentences available I'm really not all that surprised or all that unhappy. No idea why a violent attacker would be given a suspended sentence.

It's funny, I know someone who kicked the shit out of his wife to the point of unconsciousness and life support and he got a suspended sentence.

And who said policing is a politics free zone?

I think anyone that behaves criminally should be prosecuted, fairly tried and, if found guilty, the sentence be commensurate with the recommendations. The man with the fire-extinguisher was not stupid, he was a thug intent on causing serious harm. The crowd were lucky not to be killed or injured because of his deliberately violent behaviour. He was very lucky not to get 5 years.