Four people who seriously damaged a Toyota car belonging to the consul-general of Italy in Guangzhou during a protest march against Japan’s "purchase" of China's Diaoyu Islands last year were sentenced to six months in jail by the Guangzhou Tianhe District Court, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

During the march in Guangzhou on September 16 one of the four people threw stones at the car, injuring a security guard on duty.

After the car was overturned by people taking part in the protest, the four people hit and kicked the vehicle, causing damages amounting to 88,997 yuan ($14,320).