St Helens man who threw missiles at police in Southport riots jailed

Andrew Jackson became involved in the violent disorder which took place in St Luke's Road, in Southport on Tuesday, July 30.

The disturbances came after misinformation was spread online following the stabbings of six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Da Silva Aguiar.

Jackson, 41, of Ramford Street, Parr, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, August 20.

In an earlier hearing last week it was heard that Jackson was seen on CCTV footage at the disturbance.

It was heard that he threw items, including bottles, at police officers.

Jackson was seen holding open a bin to allow others to grab items from the bin and proceed to throw them at officers who had cordoned off a local mosque.

A police van on fire during disorder in Southport (Image: Richard McCarthy/PA)

Jackson was later charged with violent disorder and possession of cannabis, to which he was convicted.

The 41-year-old had pleaded guilty to the cannabis charge in an earlier court hearing, admitting to possessing a cannabis joint and seven snap bags of cannabis on August 12 saying, “Yes, it’s mine, I smoke cannabis.”

READ > Firefighters called out to van blaze 

The defendant was jailed for two years and eight months.

Police welcomed the sentencing of Jackson, along with six other men who have been jailed in recent days.

The total number of people now in prison cells following disorder in Southport and Liverpool stands at 22.

Jackson was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court (Image: Stock)

Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: “These seven individuals took part in violent disorder in Southport and it is right that they have been given custodial sentences.

“We are sending out a clear message to anyone who has been involved in violent disorder recently that they will be dealt with through the courts and we are continuing to look through evidence to track them down. To behave so badly is despicable and I am appalled by their behaviour.”

The other defendants sentenced were:

Paul Dryhurst, 33, of Gale Road, Litherland, was sentenced to two years.

-Luke Summerfield, 33, of Mansfield Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, was sentenced to two years and two months

-Connor Prescott, 25, of Vaughan Road, Birkdale, was sentenced to two years and four months

-Harvey Gabbott, 21, of Hillside, Tarleton, was sentenced to two years

-Joshua Jones, 31, of St Mark’s Road, in Chester, was sentenced to three years and two months

Gabbott was sentenced on Friday, August 16, and Engleby, Dryhurst, Summerfield, Prescott, and Jackson, were sentenced on Tuesday, August 20.