'Keyboard warrior' jailed for part in UK disorder

Wayne O’Rourke posted misinformation about the killing of three young girls in Southport "instigating" unrest, a court heard

A man who posted material on social media to stir up racial hatred during recent unrest across the UK has been jailed for three years.

Wayne O’Rourke, who had more than 90,000 followers to his X account, posted misinformation about the killing of three young girls in Southport on 29 July and praised the burning of a car in Sunderland.

The 35-year-old, of Salix Approach, Lincoln, admitted publishing written material online to stir up racial hatred between 28 July and 8 August.

Sentencing him at Lincoln Crown Court, Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told him: "You were not caught up in what others were doing, you were instigating it."

She added: "The flames fanned by keyboard warriors like you."

The court heard among his posts on 29 July was a reference to the death of the three children in Southport, alleging it was a terrorist attack carried out by a Muslim.

Wayne O’Rourke, who had more than 90,000 followers to his X account, praised the burning of a car in Sunderland

A further post urged the "people of Southport" to "get out on the street", which garnered 1.7 million views, the court was told.

Other posts showed a picture of the County Road mosque in Liverpool and a picture of burning car in Sunderland, which was accompanied by a post that read: "Sunderland, go on lads".

In another, he posted: "Starmer has basically said it us against them. Hold the line."

Other posts read "numbers are important" and "give them hell lads", the court heard.

O'Rourke's X profile was accompanied by a picture of a bulldog wearing a Union Jack jacket.

The court was told he admitted receiving about £1,400 a month in payments for his account.

There was violent unrest in a number of towns and cities with scenes such as this in Hull

• Why were there riots in the UK?

• Who are the rioters and what jail sentences have they received?

• Two men jailed for roles in 'racist hate-fuelled mob violence' during Hull riots

His defence barrister, Lucia Harrington, said the defendant did not set up his account with the intention of encouraging such material and became "caught up in the media frenzy".

Miss Harrington said O'Rourke had previously worked as a parcel sorter but left work to become his partner's carer.

She added that O'Rourke now wanted to re-educate himself about things that he had got wrong.

Judge Knight said she did not accept O'Rourke's claim in interview that it was dark humour and asked him: "Where is the humour I ask you Mr O'Rourke?"

The court heard he had no previous convictions but was cautioned for fraud in 2018.

Following sentencing Ch Supt Kate Anderson, of Lincolnshire Police, said the force would "take fast and decisive action against anyone suspected of sharing harmful content online".

“This action shows that everyone is responsible for their actions – whether they be in public, or online,” she added.

Follow BBC Lincolnshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]