Taxi driver who stoked Southport riots jailed

Andrew McIntyre was involved in the most "sinister aspect" of the July disturbances, the court was told

A taxi driver whose social media posts were a "catalyst" for riots that broke out after three girls were stabbed to death in Southport has been jailed seven and a half years.

Andrew McIntyre, 39, set up a Telegram channel called "Southport Wake Up" in the immediate aftermath of the knife attack at a children's dance class in the Merseyside town on 29 July.

Liverpool Crown Court heard the case involved a "sinister aspect" of violence which took place in parts of the UK last summer.

McIntyre, of Rufford, near Ormskirk, Lancashire, had admitted encouraging violent disorder and possession of a knife in an earlier hearing.

The Telegram channel was identified by the group Hope Not Hate as a "catalyst for and origin of a series of posts" concerning incidents of violence, prosecutor Arthur Gibson said.

The court heard McIntyre shared content from a site called Tommy Robinson/Britain First/For Britain about a protest in Southport on 30 July.

He also posted a map after adding: "Mosque at the top of Hart St."

In a later post he wrote: "Rise Up English Lads. 8pm tomorrow St Luke's Rd Southport."

Hours before violence broke out in Southport on 30 July he posted a "clear threat to police", writing: "Message to All...Stand in our way, even if you're just doing your job...prepare to fall."

The day after the disorder, McIntyre posted: "Well done last night lads, to all you heavy hitters.

"Are you ready for Round 2???... Liverpool Mosque, West Derby Road, Friday 8pm."

Mein Kampf

McIntyre was also originally charged with encouraging murder after posting a link to a YouTube video of Home Secretary Yvette Cooper with the caption: "We're going to hang this woman and her associates."

Mr Gibson said the decision was taken by the Crown Prosecution Service not to pursue the charge to trial because of "evidential issues" over whether McIntyre believed the act would be carried out.

The count was left to lie on the file.

McIntyre was working as a taxi driver when he was intercepted and arrested by police in Liverpool on 8 August.

A knife was found hidden in the boot of his car and when his home was searched officers found weapons and a copy of Hitler's Mein Kampf, the court heard.

McIntyre followed the sentencing hearing on a videolink from HMP Liverpool, where he was remanded in custody, while his parents looked on from the public gallery.

Julian Nutter, defending, said: "His parents are horrified that he is in this predicament.

"He is a man of previous good character and has never come to the attention of the police before."

Among character references were letters to Judge Neil Flewitt KC from McIntyre's parents and a family friend, the court heard.

Mr Nutter said: "Those who have spoken on his behalf describe somebody who is very different from what we have heard from the prosecution about him."