Prosecutors have warned the three far-right thugs handed heavy sentences over the nationwide unrest are just “the tip of the iceberg” as the crackdown on rioters continues.
As the three men became the first to be jailed over the Southport and Liverpool riots, Sir Keir Starmer pointed to their cases as an example of how perpetrators of the ongoing disorder breaking out across the UK’s streets as well as online “will face the full force of the law” after “swift action” from authorities.
It comes as police are braced for more than 100 protests in 41 of the 43 force areas in England and Wales on Wednesday evening as far-right groups target immigration services. The Independent understands officers are also expecting more than 30 counter-protests, as 6,000 riot officers prepare for another night of potential disorder. More than 1,300 specialist public order officers are ready to be deployed across London alone.
The total number of people charged over the unrest seen across England and in Northern Ireland has now reached more than 140, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said, as police chiefs continued to warn rioters they could “expect a knock at the door”. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said they expected that number to rise “significantly” in the coming days, as officers looked to make further arrests.
A Downing Street spokesperson said the large number of courtroom appearances and arrests – already more than 420 – are “just the start”. They added: “Our criminal justice system is showing violent thuggery has no place on our streets.”
In the longest prison sentence handed down so far over the far-right disorder, Derek Drummond, 58, was jailed for three years after punching a police officer during the riot that erupted in Southport following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in the town on 29 July.
Drummond, of Pool Street, Liverpool, previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker, after he punched an officer in the face and was later seen dismantling a wall and throwing bricks towards police on St Luke’s Road.
He was one of three men to be jailed at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday – alongside Declan Geiran and Liam James Riley who were sentenced to 30 months and 20 months in prison respectively after Geiran tried to set a police van alight and Riley threw rocks and bricks at police.
Riley, of Walton Road, Kirkdale, Liverpool, and Geiran, of Kelso Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to violent disorder following the riots in Liverpool city centre, with Geiran also admitting to arson of a police vehicle.
Senior district crown prosecutor Jonathan Egan warned the trio’s sentences show how those perpetrating the unrest “will be sent to prison for a long time”.
He said: “The three men sentenced today are the tip of the iceberg, and just the start of what will be a very painful process for many who foolishly chose to involve themselves in violent unrest. Many of those involved will be sent to prison for a long time.”
Assistant Chief Constable Paul White added: “I hope the speed with which the wheels of justice have turned makes it very clear to anyone considering getting involved in disorder that they could find themselves in a prison cell very soon after.”
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Stephen Parkinson has said one case of alleged terrorism is “actively under consideration”.
Referring to the disturbances near Southport Mosque on 30 July, Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC said: “The genuine and collective grief of the residents of Southport was effectively hijacked by this callous behaviour.”
Prosecutor Christopher Taylor said Drummond was among the around 1,000 demonstrators who clashed with police over several hours. Some 50 officers were injured, with damage caused to police vehicles, residential properties and the mosque. Chants from the group included ‘England til I die’, the court heard.
Bodyworn footage of Pc Thomas Ball showed the defendant approaching the riot cordon line before calling ‘s***houses, s***houses’. Drummond was told to go back and he then punched Pc Ball in the face.
About 30 minutes later Drummond fronted up to officers again and started to attempt to break through another cordon.
Following a public appeal, the defendant handed himself into the police and said he was “a fool”.
Lionel Greig, defending Drummond, said the defendant – who had 14 previous convictions, including offences of violence – had lost his employment since the incident and wished to further apologise to police for his conduct towards them.
It comes after a man was jailed on Tuesday following disorder in Bolton on Sunday. James Nelson, 18, of Victoria Road, Horwich, Bolton, is thought to be the first person to receive a prison sentence after the widespread unrest that followed the Southport killings. At Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Nelson was jailed for two months after pleading guilty to causing criminal damage.
Following the sentencing of Drummond, ACC White said: “He engaged in destructive and threatening behaviour that inflicted fear and destruction on an area grieving and in shock … Drummond’s disgusting behaviour that day has got him exactly where he belongs – in a prison cell.”
ACC White described Geiran’s behaviour as “despicable”.
Regarding the actions of Riley, ACC White added: “It was mindless, reckless and frankly disgraceful. Riley now has plenty of time in a prison cell to reflect on the impact of his actions.”
