Southport rioter struck in head and groin by brick while taunting police jailed for two and a half years

A Southport rioter who became an internet sensation after being struck by bricks in the head and groin during summer unrest has been jailed for two years and six months.

Brian Spencer, 40, of Lytham Road, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Liverpool Crown Court following his involvement in the July riots.

The viral footage of Spencer being hit by projectiles amassed millions of views across social media platforms during the disturbances, which erupted following the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport.

Spencer also admitted to racially abusing a fellow patient at Southport Hospital whilst receiving treatment for his injuries the following day.

The viral video captured Spencer standing in front of riot police as missiles were hurled towards officers on July 30.

Footage showed him gyrating his hips and taunting the police line before a brick ricocheted off riot shields, striking him in the chest and head.

Moments later, as he staggered backwards clutching his head, another brick thrown by rioters hit him in the groin area.

The impact caused Spencer to double over in pain, with other rioters helping him away from the scene.

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The clip quickly spread across various social media platforms, garnering millions of views.

Merseyside Police said Spencer was clearly identified from hundreds of hours of CCTV and mobile phone footage during the disorder.

He was seen acting aggressively as part of a large group standing just yards from officers whilst throwing bricks.

CCTV footage captured Spencer repeatedly punching a police vehicle and picking up wheelie bins to throw at officers and police carriers.

Later that evening, officers attending a separate incident took Spencer to hospital for treatment to his head injury.

The officers recognised him from the viral social media footage and promptly arrested him.

While receiving treatment for his head injury at Southport Hospital, Spencer verbally abused another patient in a racially aggravated incident.

The harassment, which occurred the day after the riots, led to an additional charge of racially/religiously aggravated harassment.

Spencer pleaded guilty to this offence alongside the violent disorder charge at Liverpool Crown Court.

The incident formed part of wider unrest that saw violence spread to towns and cities across the country.

Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “The actions of the people who took part in the disorder was extremely serious and many officers were injured during the despicable scenes as bricks, bins and other missiles were thrown at them.”

“Spencer was involved in the violence and will now spend a significant amount of time in prison,” she added.

The total number of people arrested by Merseyside Police in connection with the riots has now reached 163.

Of these, 117 have been charged and 88 have been sentenced, with combined prison terms totalling 182 years and four months.