Merseyside men jailed for violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool

Liam James Riley, Derek Drummond and Declan Geiran were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, August 7.

Drummond, 58, of Pool Street, Liverpool, is set to become the first person to be sentenced for participating in the violent disorder in Southport on July 30 following the fatal knife attack on three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club.

The 58-year-old is reported to have punched an officer to the face and was later seen dismantling a wall and throwing bricks towards officers.

He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker, and has been jailed for three years.

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A police van in flames during the Southport distrubance (Image: PA)
Riley, of Walton Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool, also pleaded guilty to violent disorder and admitted a charge of racially aggravated behaviour.

Riley, 41, is reported to have approached officers waving his arms aggressively and threw rocks and bricks at police during the disorder in Liverpool city centre.

He fell when officers ran towards the group he was with and was arrested at the scene. He has been jailed for 20 months.

Geiran, 29, also admitted to the charge of violent disorder, as well as to the arson of a police vehicle and sending a malicious communication last year. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Riot police in Liverpool city centre (Image: PA)
Further suspects are set to appear in court in connection with widespread violent disorder including two people facing a charge of stirring up racial hatred.

James Nelson, 18, of Victoria Road, Horwich, Bolton, is thought to be the first person to receive a prison sentence after widespread unrest in relation to the Southport attack which saw three young girls killed.

At Manchester Magistrates' Court, Nelson was jailed for two months after pleading guilty.

Aaron Johnson is accused of distributing a recording of visual images which were threatening, abusive or insulting intending to stir up racial hatred on Monday in Stockport, Greater Manchester.

He is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court alongside four other men who are accused of violent disorder following rioting in the Piccadilly Gardens area of the city centre on Saturday August 4.

The government has made more than 400 arrests and 100 charges since the violent outbreaks have spread across the country.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has praised the "robust and swift response" of the criminal justice system, and expects "substantive sentencing" of those involved in disorder.

Speaking to reporters after chairing his second Cobra meeting in two days, the prime minister said: "That should send a very powerful message to anybody involved, either directly or online, that you are likely to be dealt with within a week.

"Nobody, but nobody, should be involved themselves in this disorder."