Viral bricking video rioter jailed
Merseyside PoliceA man who was hit in the crotch and head with bricks during riots in Southport has been jailed after video went viral.
On July 30, Brian Spencer was first hit in the head by a brick thrown by a rioter while provoking riot police.
As he held his head, a second brick hit him directly in the crotch, causing him to stagger in the street.
The 40-year-old, of Latham Road, Southport, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Liverpool Crown and was jailed for two years and six months.
“Some wayward missiles”
Riots broke out the next day Three girls killed in knife attack In Southport.
Spencer also admitted a separate count of racially aggravated harassment.
Merseyside Police said his injuries were captured on mobile phone footage of “some uncontrollable missile” hitting him in “horrendous scenes” in Southport, with the video widely shared on social media.
A police spokesman said Spencer “could be seen acting aggressively” as he was part of a large group of people who stood in front of police and threw bricks.
“Despicable scene”
Police said Spencer also punched a police car multiple times and threw a trash can at officers.
Merseyside Police said officers were taken to hospital after the injured Spencer racially abused another patient while he was being treated for a head injury.
A police spokesman said “officers recognized him from a video that went viral on social media” and arrested him.
Chief Constable Paula Jones said there were “despicable scenes of bricks, bins and other missiles being thrown at police” during the unrest.
She added: “Spencer was involved in a violent incident and will now spend a long time in prison.”
