The longest sentence handed out so far over the UK riots
The number of people charged in connection with the UK riots continues to climb, as several parts of the country brace for up to 100 more protests on Wednesday.
More than 6,000 additional police officers are on standby in case of further unrest following a week of disruption that followed a mass stabbing in Southport, where three children were killed.
Axel Rudakubana, who was 17 at the time of his arrest but has since turned 18, was arrested and charged with murder.
Following his arrest, misinformation circulated online that he was an illegal immigrant who had crossed the Channel on a small boat - leading to far-right riots in Southport, which later spread to numerous other towns and cities across the UK.
Another 20 people were charged overnight, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said, bringing the total to more than 140, as police chiefs continued to warn rioters they could “expect a knock at the door”.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) said it expected that number to rise “significantly” in the coming days, as officers looked to make further arrests.
It comes after prime minister Sir Keir Starmer praised the criminal justice system’s “robust and swift response”, saying he expected substantive sentencing of some of those involved in the rioting to take place by the end of the week.
“That should send a very powerful message to anybody involved, either directly or online, that you are likely to be dealt with within a week," he said on Tuesday.
“Nobody, but nobody, should be involved themselves in this disorder.”
Meanwhile, Stephen Parkinson, the Director of Public Prosecutions, warned children who get involved in disorder could face life-long consequences.
He added: “One of the most striking features of the current outbreak of disorder is that many young people are involved. Children as young as 11. This is deeply disturbing."
A 14-year-old boy was arrested in Belfast on Monday following unrest, and a 15-year-old boy was also remanded over charges of rioting in the same area.
What is the longest prison sentence given for the UK riots so far?
Derek Drummond, 58, from Southport, Merseyside, was jailed for three years on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to charges of violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker during the unrest in Southport on 30 July.
Drummond shouted "s***houses" before punching one police officer, PC Thomas Ball, in the face and was then said to have subsequently thrown bricks at the scene after "breaking down a wall".
Bodyworn footage of PC Ball showed the defendant approach the riot cordon line and shout the expletives. About 30 minutes later Drummond fronted up to officers again and started to attempt to break through another cordon.
Following a public appeal the defendant handed himself into police and said he was “a fool”.
Drummond was part of the violence and disorder which had focussed on Southport Mosque in St Luke’s Road and was the first person to receive a substantial prison sentence for taking part in the riots.
Prosecutor Christopher Taylor said the incident in Southport involving about 1,000 people lasted a number of hours with some 50 police officers injured, and damage caused to police vehicles, residential properties and the mosque.
Chants from the group included “this is our f****** country”, “England til I die” and “Allah, Allah, who the f*** is Allah”, the court heard.
Two other men, Declan Geiran, 29, and Liam Riley, 40, received sentences of 30 months and 20 months respectively for their roles in disturbances in Liverpool on Saturday.
The maximum sentence for violent disorder is five years, Liverpool Crown Court heard, but each defendant’s early guilty pleas had to be taken into account.
Starmer said the sentences were an example of “the swift action we’re taking”, adding: “If you provoke violent disorder on our streets or online, you will face the full force of the law.”
