Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police Phil Thompson said it was "easy to understand" the sentence when you consider the impact technology had on the riots.

BBC: Some England riot sentences 'too severe'

George Hamilton, Assistant Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police, said the case against Weir had been built from "a long running and complex investigation".

BBC: Weir Group fined ?3m over Saddam sanctions breaches

Mr Ross later became assistant chief constable of Sussex Police.

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