Man hit in groin with brick during Southport riots jailed for two and a half years

A man, seen in a viral video being hit in the groin with a brick during the summer’s Southport riots, has been jailed for over two years.

Brian Spencer was seen on the video clip taunting police, as they were pelted with stones and bricks.

The 40-year-old is then hit by a wayward missile in the head and seconds later takes a brick to the crotch.

The clip of the incident was shared widely on social media.

On Monday, Spencer, of Lytham Road, Southport, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court.

He was jailed for two years and six months after admitting violent disorder on 30 July.

He was also jailed after admitting racially/religiously aggravated harassment, which relates to a separate incident the following day at Southport Hospital.

Spencer verbally abused another patient while receiving treatment for the injuries he sustained during the disorder.

He was caught on footage from the day punching a police vehicle several times and picking up and throwing wheelie bins at officers.

Later that evening, officers were called to a separate incident where Spencer was in attendance, and took him to hospital for treatment to the head injury he had sustained during the disorder.

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

Liverpool Crown Court heard how he racially abused another patient while receiving treatment for his injuries.

Nationwide trouble broke out across the UK the day after three girls were killed in a knife attack in Southport.

Detective Inspector Paula Jones, of Merseyside Police, 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.

"We continue to review footage and information as it comes in, and we will not stop until we’ve put everyone we possibly can before the courts."

The total number of people arrested by Merseyside Police has now reached 163, with 117 charged and 88 sentenced to 182 years and four months.

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