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A man who took part in last week’s Southport riot has been jailed for three years, as courts begin handing down sentences that the government hopes will help end days of far-right violence across England.
Derek Drummond, 58, pleaded guilty to charges of violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker in the town, which saw far-right unrest last Tuesday in response to a mass stabbing the previous day.
Violence has since spread to dozens of towns and cities throughout England and Northern Ireland, leading to hundreds of arrests and ministers promising “swift justice” for those who take part.
Two other men — Liam Riley, 40, and Declan Geiran, 29 — received prison terms of 20 months and 30 months for their involvement in separate violence last week in Liverpool, at a hearing on Wednesday at Liverpool Crown Court.
Judge Andrew Menary KC, who handed down the sentences, said: “Quite simply those who deliberately participate in such disorder, causing injury, damage and fear to communities, will inevitably be punished with sentences designed to deter others from similar activity.”
Government ministers hope tough sentences — which come as police brace for a potential escalation of violence on Wednesday evening — will help dissuade would-be rioters from joining further action.
Officials are concerned that far-right action expected on Wednesday will lead to some homes being attacked, as activists plan to target migrant-friendly law offices that are based at residential addresses.
A list of 36 targets, circulated among far-right groups online, includes refugee shelters, immigration centres and law offices that specialise in helping migrants.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said the sites will receive additional police protection, and that rioters should expect to be “dealt with within a week”.
More than 100 people have already been charged with actions both offline and online, while over 400 people have been arrested.
Home secretary Yvette Cooper has promised rioters will face “swift justice”.