Rioter 'at forefront' of Southport violence jailed

Martin Taylor was described as at the forefront of the violence in Southport

A man who joined a violent mob that attacked police in Southport has been jailed after being identified from video footage.

Martin Taylor, 39, was "at the forefront" of the unrest hurling "numerous missiles" at officers on 30 July, Merseyside Police said.

More than 50 officers were injured and hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage was caused

Taylor, of Montgomery Avenue in the town, was sentenced to two years and four months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and possessing cannabis.

'Despicable'

The riots followed the deaths of Bebe King, six; Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, after an attacker entered a dance studio in Hart Street.

Following misinformation spread online about the suspect, crowds gathered on St Luke's Road and began attacking a line of Merseyside Police officers deployed to protect a mosque.

Det Ch Insp Tony Roberts called Taylor's behaviour "despicable".

“Like many others, Taylor tried to hide his identity by concealing his face," he said.

"But thanks to officers who trawled many hours of CCTV and social media footage, his efforts were in vain."