Victims of last summer's Stanley Cup riot and destruction applauded the 17-month jail term handed down to the first person sentenced, while the city's top cop was triumphant.

"The sentence that was handed out today was a victory for the victims and the citizens of Vancouver," said police Chief Jim Chu Thursday. "We're very happy that . there have been very serious consequences imposed."

Ryan Dickinson, the first rioter sentenced in connection to the June 15 mayhem, was emotionless when the judge put him away for 17 months, minus three-and-a-half months for time already served

The sentence comes eight months and a day after the Coquitlam man was captured on video hurling a 24 hours newspaper box into an unmarked police car and later throwing a mannequin into a tuxedo shop window.

"We need to make sure Vancouver doesn't face this type of attack again," said London Drugs president and CEO Wynne Powell moments after the sentencing.

While Dickinson wasn't among the rioters who "terrorized" staff at the Georgia and Granville outlet, Powell added the sentencing should warn others their turn is coming.

Blenz Coffee president George Moen agreed the sentencing is only the beginning, adding his company also launched a civil suit against rioters who were directly involved in destroying its West Georgia Street outlet.

As more information is released, names of individuals will be added.

"I'm not concerned about how long (the sentencing) took, I just want to make sure it's done right," Moen told 24 hours.

"Part of the punishment is these people having a big cloud over their heads for the next two, three years as it's going through the system."

According to B.C. Civil Liberties' David Eby, the length of sentence puts Dickinson in the ranks of the "dial-a-dopers" or repeat property offenders.

"It reflects that the judge thought the offence was quite serious," he said. "There was a great deal of public outrage about what happened and this sentence reflects this."

Police also announced Thursday 11 charges were approved against five suspects, including three young offenders, 18-year-old Jordan Houde and 26-year-old Omar Khalil Salim Kamani.