A 19 year old from Birmingham has avoided a jail sentence related to arson charges.
The teen was caught trying to set alight a union jack flag during the Black Lives Matter protests earlier this year.
As you can see below, 19-year-old Astrophel Sang was climbing a Whitehall war memorial on June 7, and was also photographed whilst doing so.
Sang pictured attempting to light the flag.
Sang faced an 18 month prison sentence because of the crime, but after he pled guilty Judge Christopher Heir handed him a 2 year conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £340 in court costs.
Judge Hehir, sentencing, told Sang: “I am at a loss as to understanding why you or anyone, in the course of a Black Lives Matter protest, would seek to target The Cenotaph.
“The Cenotaph commemorates all those who have died fighting for this country, and they weren’t all white you know.
“The fallen commemorated at The Cenotaph includes people from all colours and creeds from many different people from the world who came together to fight racism and fascism in World War Two.
“Had this country and her allies not prevailed between 1939 and 1945 you would not have been free to attend a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020.”
During sentencing it was also revealed Sang was being aggressive towards police officers at the protest, and in regards to the memorial, he said he didn’t know the significance of it.
He has since apologised for his actions.
