Twelve defendants who caused injury or were involved in cases of affray during protests against Japan's illegal purchase of China's Diaoyu Islands last year received jail sentences.

The sentences were handed down by courts in the Lianhu, Beilin and Chang'an districts in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, cnwest.com reported on Friday.

Cai Yang, one of the defendants who seriously injured an innocent owner of a Japanese-brand car on Sept 15, 2012, received a 10-year sentence and was ordered to pay compensation of 258,860 yuan ($42,200) to the victim.

The other 11 defendants received sentences ranging from a year to 20 months.

Cai?Yang?smashes a car's window during the anti-Japan protest in Xi'an city, Shaanxi province in this file photo taken on Sept 15, 2012. [Photo/Ynet.com]

Related reading:

Man captured for attacking Japanese car owner