Crown prosecutors say the first person to be sentenced in Vancouver's Stanley Cup riot should be sent to jail for as long as 18 months.

Ryan Dickinson, who was 20 at the time, pleaded guilty last month to taking part in the June 15 riot that caused millions of dollars in damage in downtown Vancouver following the Canucks' Stanley Cup series loss to the Boston Bruins.

The Coquitlam resident admitted to trashing an unmarked police car and smashing the window of a clothing store during the violence.

At a sentencing hearing Tuesday in B.C. provincial court in Vancouver, prosecutor Patti Tomasson said the rioters stripped a sense of safety and security from the people of Vancouver and must face serious punishment.

The video evidence collected by police after the riot was played in court, a series of clips of Dickinson tearing through the city — smashing an empty police cruiser with a road sign, then returning with a metal newspaper box and smashing in the car's window while a crowd cheers him on.

A separate clip shows Dickinson throwing objects against a clothing store window.

Caught up in the moment

The Crown argues it's more than just vandalism, that it was more akin to a home invasion of the whole community. The Crown is asking the judge to give Dickinson between 15 and 18 months in jail, along with up to three months for breaching bail conditions related to a previous assault charge.

The defence, however, argues Dickinson was just caught up in the moment and didn't physically harm anyone.

Dickinson's lawyer said he has anger management issues and needs counselling. In a letter read to the court, Dickinson wrote he was sorry for his actions, ashamed and deeply embarrassed.

The defence is asking for a one-year jail sentence.

The judge is expected to hand down a sentence Thursday.

No cameras in court

On Monday, a provincial court judge dismissed an application to televise Dickinson's sentencing hearing.

Hours later, the province announced it was backing off from its plans to televise trials for all those charged in connection with the riot, saying the judge's decision raised additional questions about the issue.

In the days after rioters tore through the streets, looting stores and burning cars, B.C. Premier Christy Clark vowed rioters would face justice and said the government would ask the courts to broadcast the hearings of those expected to be charged.

To date, a total of 350 charges have been recommended against 125 accused. The Crown has approved 129 criminal charges against 47 of the suspected rioters.

With files from The Canadian Press