UK anti-immigrant rioters, many of whom belong to far-right groups, are facing legal battles for attacking police officers and the general public during the recent Southport protests that took the nation by storm.
Multiple rioters have already been punished, while others face similar fates as the country moves for expedited court hearings in the aftermath of the protests that stemmed from online misinformation.
Derek Drummond, a violent demonstrator who punched a cop in the face outside a mosque and threw expletives at other officers, has been jailed for three years.
Two other people, including 40-year-old Liam Riley and 29-year-old Declan Geiran, are also slapped with 20 and 30 months in prison, respectively, for engaging in different violent activities against police officers. Similarly, 18-year-old James Nelon faces two months in prison for disturbing law and order in Bolton.
Drummond lost his job after making headlines and has now acknowledged that he acted in an “appalling” manner, adding that he has let the whole Southport, including his family and kids, down.
According to UK law, rioters found guilty of violent disorders can be punished for up to five years, but entering the plea guilty early in the case has helped all three individuals from facing prolonged jail terms.
Protests outside Southport Mosque lasted for hours, where more than 1,000 protesters gathered, with many of them chanting anti-immigration and anti-Islam slogans, and involved in a physical confrontation with police officers, resulting in the injury of almost 50 cops.
After engaging in these demonstrations and punching a police officer, Drummond surrendered to law enforcement, claiming that he was “a fool.”
Geiran has a long criminal history, starting from 2011, as he remained involved in multiple crimes, including supplying drugs and burglary. His lawyer told the court that he is “not a clever man,” and suffers from mental disorders.
Liam Ryan, who specifically traveled from West Yorkshire to Manchester for demonstrations, also pleaded guilty to engaging in violent protests.
A 53-year-old Julie Sweeney is also facing charges of sending text messages about bombing the mosques “with adults inside.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who only assumed charge last month and immediately saw the country grappling with a violent crisis, suggested that his government was aiming to take immediate action against all the violent elements and announced to use the “full force of the law” against them.
At least 120 rioters have already been charged in fast-tracked court proceedings, and nearly 430 people have been arrested across the country.
Justice Andrew Menary KC, who sentenced the trio of Drummond, Riley, and Geiran, stated that violent individuals involved in pushing the country into chaotic circumstances would continue to be treated with iron fists.
The unrest initially began in late July after a mass stabbing in Southport that killed three children during the Taylor-Swift themed dance party, with the misinformation erupted that the attacker was a Muslim immigrant. This misinformation sparked far-right riots, leading to attacks on mosques, immigrants, and hotels housing asylum seekers.
