Southport: ‘Community hero’ who hurled bricks at police in riots jailed

The teenager was convicted of violent disorder, criminal damage, assault by beating of an emergency worker and two counts of burglary other than in a dwelling.

He was also identified on footage as being at the forefront of a large mob who threw bricks at officers as well as damaging and burgling stores in Clayton Square.

A pre-sentence report was ordered and the boy, who also tried to conceal his identity with a face mask, will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on 1 October.

DCI Roberts said the footage of the police officer being assaulted on The Strand was “truly shocking”.

“A lot of people would have viewed it and been appalled after it was widely shared on social media in the immediate aftermath of the disorder in Liverpool,” he said.

“Thankfully the officer didn’t sustain serious injuries during this particular incident, but the aggression and violence on display serves as a snapshot of what all of our officers had to deal with during the incidents in Liverpool and Southport.”

The force continued to identify suspects with more charges expected, he added.