London (CNN) -- A student protester who threw a fire extinguisher off the roof of Conservative Party headquarters during a demonstration last year was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison Tuesday, Southwark Crown Court in London said.
Edward Woollard pleaded guilty to violent disorder, admitting he threw the fire extinguisher in November.
He was part of a massive student protest against government plans to allow universities to triple tuition fees.
A group of protesters broke into the headquarters of the governing Conservative Party, smashing windows, spray-painting anarchy symbols and setting off flares before being forced out of the building.
At least 32 people were arrested.
The November 10 protest was followed by at least two other major demonstrations, including one in which protesters came into contact with a car driving Prince Charles and his wife to a theater.
All the protests have been largely peaceful. The National Union of Students said 35,000 people turned out for the November 10 demonstration at which Conservative party headquarters was attacked.
Eight people suffered minor injuries in that protest. Woollard's thrown fire extinguisher did not hit anyone.
Students and university staff are protesting government plans to allow universities to charge up to 9,000 pounds (about $14,500) per year in tuition fees -- a substantial rise from the current cap of 3,000 pounds (about $4,800).
The government -- which subsidizes student tuition -- is trying to cut a massive budget deficit. CNN
