Man jailed for encouraging people to target police

Stuart Burns was convicted under Section 127 of the Communications Act

A man has been jailed for social media posts encouraging people to target police ahead of planned disorder.

Stuart Burns, 41, from Carlisle, appeared at Carlisle Magistrates' Court on Thursday and was found guilty of two offences under Section 127 of the Communications Act.

Cumbria Police said Burns uploaded posts encouraging people to channel anger towards the police, and destroy police vehicles and equipment ahead of a planned protest in Carlisle.

He was sentenced to 14 weeks in custody.

The convictions related to two posts between 2 and 6 August.

There was violence in towns and cities across England and in Northern Ireland over the summer, fuelled by misinformation online, the far right and anti-immigration sentiment.

At the time, action appeared to be planned in Carlisle, but nothing major ever came from it.

Ch Supt Carl Patrick said: "Our officers should not come to work with the fear of being assaulted.

"Targeting officers not only has a significant impact on the officers concerned and their families, but this means they are removed from the front-line work."