Man featured in viral Southport riot video sentenced to prison

A man prominently featured in a widely circulated video showing him being struck by bricks in the crotch and head during the Southport riot has been incarcerated. Brian Spencer was initially hit in the head by a brick, thrown by another rioter, while he was provoking a line of riot police on 30 July. As he clutched his head, a second brick then struck him directly in the crotch, causing him to stumble in the street. The 40-year-old, residing on Lytham Road, Southport, entered a guilty plea to violent disorder at Liverpool Crown Court and received a sentence of two years and six months in jail. The riot commenced the day following a knife attack in Southport that resulted in the deaths of three girls. Spencer also confessed to a separate charge of racially aggravated harassment. Merseyside Police stated that his injuries were captured on mobile phone footage, which gained widespread traction on social media after “some wayward missiles” struck him amidst the “appalling scenes” in Southport. According to a police spokesperson, Spencer “could be seen acting in an aggressive manner” as part of a large assembly of individuals confronting police officers and throwing bricks. Police also reported that Spencer was observed “punching a police vehicle several times and picking up and throwing wheelie bins” at officers. Merseyside Police further reported that its officers were subsequently called to a hospital after Spencer, while receiving treatment for his head injury, racially abused another patient. A police spokesperson confirmed that “officers recognised him from the viral social media footage” and he was arrested. Det Insp Paula Jones commented on the “despicable scenes as bricks, bins and other missiles were thrown” at officers during the riot. She added: “Spencer was involved in the violence and will now spend a significant amount of time in prison.”