Southport stabbings rioter hit within the privates by flying brick will get his simply desserts

More Karma has finally caught up with Brian Spencer, 40, who was captured on video being struck three times by house bricks after taunting police in the wake of the Southport stabbings

A rioter who went viral after being struck in the head and groin by flying bricks has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.

Brian Spencer, 40, had consumed 10 pints and a litre of rum before provoking police during the violent aftermath of the Southport stabbings.

He was hit twice in the face and head while taunting officers, and then again in the groin when he turned around. Spencer, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, also racially abused a Polish patient at the local hospital while waiting for treatment for his injuries.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how painter-decorator Spencer was at the heart of riots in the seaside town on July 30, a day after three children were tragically stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Viral footage showed him provocatively dancing in front of a line of police officers, with a previous judge likening his moves to a “best Mick Jagger impression”.

However, as he tried to incite a reaction, a large brick rebounded off a riot shield into his face, while another hit the back of his head. As he walked away, another block struck him in the groin causing him to double over in pain.

Sentencing him, Judge Katherine Pierpoint said Spencer threw wheelie-bins at police cars and was filmed “cheering”, “bouncing around” and “relishing the chaos”. She stated: “You were an enthusiastic and active participant, positioning yourself at the front of the mob. At times bouncing around, encouraging others and clearly enjoying the chaos and harm that you and other like-minded thugs were creating. You are able to be seen on the footage until it comes to an end,” reports the Mirror.

The court heard how Spencer acted like a “general” in the mass disorder outside a mosque in Southport, hours after a peaceful vigil had been held to mourn those killed and injured a day earlier.

Footage was played in court of bare-chested Spencer hurling a wheelie-bin at a reversing police car and hoisting another bin above his head.

He was seen encouraging other rioters to push forward towards police riot lines and seen dancing as objects were hurled at officers.

Alaric Walmsley, prosecuting, said: “He was leading from the front. He was acting like a general, supporting and cheerleading as well as using weapons. He can be seen taunting the police.”

Mr Walmsley added: “There’s video of the defendant being stuck to the head with a brick and then in the groin, which went viral at the time, which was shared on social media. “

Spencer was taken to hospital for treatment after police were called to his brother’s home in Southport. He was put in a cubicle to sleep off his intoxication but racially abused a Polish-speaking patient and a hospital cleaner when he awoke, telling them: “Get out of our country, you don’t belong here.”

Judge Pierpoint said: “Despite you being injured as a result of unlawful activity, the police were there to help you. They put you in an ambulance, the ambulance took you to hospital and you were in the process of being treated by staff there.

“Despite all of this and the help you were being given, you racially-abused another patient, all in the hearing of other patients and staff members.”

Violence broke out across the nation following the tragic deaths of three young girls at a children’s dance event in Southport, with the chaos fuelled by online speculation and misinformation.

A mob of around 1,000 rioters took to the streets of the Merseyside town just an hour after locals had gathered to mourn Alice Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Stancombe, 7. Over 50 police officers were injured in the mayhem, with riot shields stolen and police vehicles looted and set on fire.

In his interview, Spencer denied participating in the riots but later admitted to officers that his actions were “naughty.” Spencer, who has a history of 12 previous convictions for 22 offences, revealed he had consumed 10 pints and a litre of rum before heading to the mosque. He apologised to the officers, saying: “I just apologise again. It’s honestly not me, that.

“I honestly can’t apologise enough.”

Charles Lander, defending, said Spencer “wished to apologise” to the victims of the Southport knife attack and the police. He added: “Alcohol intoxication is no excuse but one only has to watch the video of those horrifying events to see how drunk he was.

“He went viral because of his drunkenness, that he himself was hit. It shows the drunken state he was in.”

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