Courts have expedited cases for individuals involved in recent nationwide riots to serve as a deterrent. Several have received prison sentences for attacking mosques, immigration centres, and other community buildings, fuelled by false information about the Southport knife incident.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who served as director of public prosecutions during the 2011 London riots, labelled the offenders as “far-right thugs” and promised severe legal repercussions.
#BREAKING 🇬🇧A rioter who punched a British police officer in the face during violent unrest in Southport has been sentenced to three years in prison, the longest sentence so far for the far-right disorder in England and Northern Ireland.
Derek Drummond, 58, pleaded guilty to… pic.twitter.com/czQFI2zfTk
— 凤凰欧洲 PhoenixCNE News (@PhoenixCNE_News) August 7, 2024
Derek Drummond, 58, from Liverpool, received the longest sentence so far. He was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting PC Thomas Ball and participating in violent disorder outside a mosque in Southport. During the incident, around 300 protesters aggressively marched towards the mosque, shouting nationalistic slogans. Drummond punched PC Ball, who sustained cuts and bruises. Drummond, who has 14 prior convictions, expressed remorse, stating he felt he had let down his community and family.
Declan Geiran, 29, also from Liverpool, was jailed for two-and-a-half years for violent disorder and arson. He set a police van on fire during riots in Liverpool city centre. Geiran has 13 prior convictions.
Liam James Riley, 41, from Kirkdale, received a year and eight months for violent disorder and a racially aggravated public order offence. He was part of a group that damaged shops in Liverpool and made racially charged statements to police.
Adam Wharton, 28, and his brother Ellis, 22, were jailed for their roles in an attack on Spellow Lane library in Walton. Adam received one year and eight months, while Ellis got 11 months. The brothers were involved in burglary and assaulting a police officer. Their mother publicly thanked the judge after their sentencing.
William Nelson Morgan, 69, a semi-retired welder, was sentenced to two years and eight months for violent disorder and possession of a wooden bat in Liverpool. Despite his age, he actively participated in setting fires and throwing bricks.
John O’Malley, 43, was sentenced to two years and eight months for violent disorder outside a mosque in Southport. He was part of a group that broke police lines, and his previous battery conviction aggravated his sentence.
Steven Mailen, 54, and Ryan Sheers, 29, were each sentenced to two years and two months for their roles in violent disorder in Hartlepool. Mailen, a former postmaster, was a key instigator, while Sheers was bitten by a police dog during the riots.
Lucas Ormond Skeaping, 29, was jailed for 18 months after being recorded throwing objects and pushing a cyclist during protests in Plymouth.
Daniel McGuire, 45, received two years and two months for spitting at police and violent disorder in Plymouth.
Michael Williams, 51, of Devon, was jailed for two years and eight months for kicking a man and throwing objects at police. He claimed a rock found in his pocket was for “healing purposes,” which the judge dismissed as absurd.
Guy Sullivan, 43, was sentenced to 16 months for violent disorder and burglary after breaking into a Tesco during the Plymouth riots.
Since the unrest began in Southport on 30 July, nearly 500 people have been arrested and 150 charged across the UK.