Looter Locked-Up For Brick Attack On Policecar

A hooded teenage looter, who threw a brick through a patrol car's window and injured a WPC during last year's summer riot, has been jailed for eight years.

Alexander Elliott-Joahill, 19, (pictured) of Baring Road, Lee, South-East London also robbed a take-away and broke into an antiques store.

He was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm, with intent, of the 40 year-old police officer, who suffered cuts to her head and face in Lewisham High Street on August 8, last year.

Elliott-Joahill pleaded guilty to robbbing Favorite Fried Chicken, Catford Road; burgling Blackheath Antiques, Lewisham High Street; violent disorder and possession of a knife as an offensive weapon.

He deliberately concealed his identity by using a distinctive hooded top which zips across the face and was the ringleader when police came under attack at 5.00pm.

He was seen hurling a brick at a parked police car at point-blank range, which smashed through a side window which struck the officer on the head.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard Elliott-Joahill was one of three people arrested in the early hours of August 9 in a car by police officers in the Greenwich Peninsula Retail Park.

The car was loaded with electrical goods, which had been stolen from local retail parks in the area. 


At earlier appearances at Inner London Crown Court Elliott-Joahill pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods at Currys in Charlton; burglary at Comet in Greenwich; burglary at a BP garage in Woolwich Road, Charlton and handling stolen goods at Halfords and PC World at the Stone Lake Retail Park in Charlton.

Detective Constable Lisa Lathbury said: “Elliott-Joahill and those arrested with him went out on the evening of 8 August with the intention of stealing from local stores and joining in the mass disorder and looting.

“We can only be thankful that his violent and reckless attack on an officer with a brick did not cause far more serious injury.


“We continue to investigate and pursue those involved in the disorder and are still trawling through a large volume of CCTV footage.

“Suspects are being identified on a daily basis which is leading to further arrests and court appearances. 



“We are grateful for all the help received and would like to encourage people to continue to assist us and provide us with information which may be pivotal to bringing criminals to justice.”



Detective Superintendant William Lyle, in charge of Operation Withern, said: “I would like to praise the officers from the Operation Withern team who worked tirelessly on this case. Their work has seen a violent man jailed for his reckless actions.

“I would also like to reassure Londoners that my team will continue to pursue those responsible for criminal acts during last year's disorder, and put them before the courts to face justice.”