UK court delivers 1st jail sentences to rioters after Southport stabbing

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) – A UK court on Wednesday handed down first prison sentences to those involved in riots fueled by far-right groups in the wake of July 29 killing of three young girls in Southport, England.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Liam Riley, 41, from Kirkdale admitted to violent disorder and a racially aggravated public order offence in Liverpool city center on Saturday, and was jailed for 20 months.

Derek Drummond, 58, of Pool Street, Liverpool pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker in Southport last Tuesday, and was jailed for three years.

Derek Geiran, 29, admitted violent disorder and arson over rioting in Liverpool city center and was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

“Today’s prison sentences show that the law is catching up with those who have brought violence to our local communities," said Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire Sarah Hammond.

“The disturbing images we have seen across the country, manipulated by agitators both in-person and online, while local families still grieve the loss of loved ones, is an unforgivable and selfish act that each and every person sentenced today will have to live with."

The riots were fueled by false claims spread online that the suspect arrested for fatal stabbing of three children in Southport was a Muslim asylum seeker.

Authorities have since identified the attacker as Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old teenager born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, but this has done little to deter far-right mobs.

The Crown Prosecution Service said its teams continue to work around the clock, along with the police, to charge people as quickly as possible and ensure justice is served. It said at least 120 people were charged to date.