A 21-year-old voluntary youth worker who threw a stone during the rioting in Bradford last year has been sentenced to 40 months in prison.

Barrister Ayaz Khasi said Mohammed Farraz had become something of an "outcast" as a result of his conviction, but he had tried to use his experience to help other youngsters not to fall into the trap he had when he and others succumbed to peer pressure.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Farraz, of Victoria Street, Heckmondwike, became distressed and suffered from depression as a result of the criminal proceedings against him and Mr Khasi urged Judge Roger Scott to use his discretion in sentencing to give him a chance to rebuild his life.

Farraz, who left school with eight GCSEs, handed himself in to police after his photograph was published in the Telegraph & Argus and pleaded guilty on his first appearance at the Crown Court to the charge of riot. He was shown on video footage throwing a stone in the direction of the police and later seen larking about with others behind the Bishop of Bradford as he gave an interview on television.

Imposing the 40-month sentence, Judge Scott said he had taken account of various matters, including Farraz's early guilty plea, his previous good character and his medical problems.

He noted that Farraz had been working for a police-sponsored youth organisation and accepted it could not have been easy waiting to receive his sentence.

"I am quite satisfied it was a moment of stupidity," said Judge Scott.

"I am more than willing to accept you came from Heckmondwike on a visit to Bradford for a legitimate purpose . . . but you stayed and you got involved with others in a group exercise."

Judge Scott dismissed reports that a person throwing a single stone had already received a five-and-a-half year jail term and he stressed that Farraz's video showed the least activity of any defendant.