Grinning rioter who built bonfire and threw missiles jailed

Christopher Beard was seen smiling during the unrest

A rioter seen with a “maniacal grin” as he built a bonfire and threw missiles at police during disorder in Southport has been jailed.

Christopher Beard was seen at the front of a crowd as violence flared outside a mosque just a day after three girls were killed in a stabbing in the Merseyside town.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the 33-year-old threw a large piece of wood at police and piled wheelie bins of top of each other in the street on 30 July.

Beard, of Stewart Road in Wigan, Greater Manchester, was jailed for two years and eight months after pleading guilty to violent disorder.

The court heard that Beard, who has a 19-month-old daughter, was seen on video footage “shouting” and “gesticulating” during the unrest.

Prosecuting, Louise McCloskey said: “The defendant is turning and laughing, with what can only be described as a maniacal grin, towards the crowd.”

He was also seen piling wheelie bins on top of each other.

Widespread disorder broke out in towns and cities across England in August

Ms McCloskey added: “The defendant remains in the midst of the crowd, seemingly enjoying the chaos.”

Charles Lander, mitigating, said Beard was about to become a grandfather as his older daughter was expecting a baby in December.

He said Beard had been working in the area and had gone to “show some respect” but had since lost his job, the court heard.

Sentencing, Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary dismissed his respect claims.

He added: “There’s footage of you literally building a bonfire in the middle of the road, pulling wheelie bins on top of each other.”

Lee Powell, 46, of Fountains Road, Liverpool, was also jailed for two years and four months for violent disorder.

Judge Menary said he "abused officers" as a "member of the mob".

Powell had claimed he had gone to lay flowers but became “trapped”.

Adam Latty, 24, of Radnor Drive, Southport, was jailed for for 20 months after admitting violent disorder.

The court heard he was seen throwing missiles, including a glass bottle, at police.

Mr Lander said Latty was of good character but had now lost his job as a contractor in the water industry.

Judge Menary said it was a "great shame" he was in the dock for such a "serious and utterly pointless criminal offence”.