A convicted burglar who threw about 20 missiles at police during the Bradford riots and hit a police officer's shield with a stick was today beginning a jail sentence of five years and three months.

Ali Akbar, 23, was said by a judge to have been "heavily involved'' in the violent clashes two years ago.

He was also caught on film as part of a group of youths who pushed a burning car towards a line of officers.

Prosecutor Henry Prosser described how Akbar was also filmed during the riots apparently arguing with men who were trying to calm the situation.

Akbar, of Bardsey Crescent, Barkerend, Bradford, was featured on an early "wanted'' poster issued a month after the riots, but he did not come forward until his face appeared on a second poster put out in February last year.

During his police interviews he made no comment on the advice of his solicitors and maintained a not guilty plea to the riot charge until a few days before his trial.

His barrister Sukhbir Bassra claimed Akbar had been put under pressure by his family to deny the offence so that efforts could be made to bring his new wife over from Pakistan following an arranged marriage. As it turned out her visa was refused and Akbar entered his guilty plea back in May.

Judge Roger Scott was shown extracts from a 35-minute video in which Akbar could be seen throwing missiles from about 5.30pm that afternoon. He was involved in the disturbances at various locations right up to 11pm and Judge Scott noted that his video compilation was one of the longest he had seen so far in the riot cases.

The judge also said that, while many other defendants had no previous convictions, Akbar had served a three-year sentence for aggravated burglary with a knife.

In addition to the riot matter, Akbar also received a six-month jail sentence concurrent and a 12-month driving ban for offences of dangerous driving and having no insurance or licence.