Man jailed over social media channel set up after Southport attack

A taxi driver whose social media posts were a “catalyst” for riots which broke out after three girls were stabbed at a dance class in Southport has been jailed seven and a half years.

Andrew McIntyre, 39, set up a Telegram channel called “Southport Wake Up” in the immediate aftermath of the knife attack in the Merseyside town on 29 July last year, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

Arthur Gibson, prosecuting, said the case involved a “sinister aspect” of violence which took place in parts of the UK last summer.

McIntyre, of Rufford, near Ormskirk, Lancashire, had admitted encouraging violent disorder and possession of a knife in an earlier hearing.

The Southport Wake Up channel was identified by the group Hope Not Hate as a “catalyst for and origin of a series of posts” concerning incidents of violence, Mr Gibson said.

The court heard McIntyre shared content from a site called Tommy Robinson/Britain First/For Britain about a protest in Southport on 30 July.

He also posted a map after adding: “Mosque at the top of Hart St.”

In a later post he wrote: “Rise Up English Lads. 8pm tomorrow St Luke’s Rd Southport.”

Hours before violence broke out in Southport on 30 July he posted a “clear threat to police”, writing: “Message to All…Stand in our way, even if you’re just doing your job…prepare to fall.”

The day after the disorder, McIntyre posted: “Well done last night lads, to all you heavy hitters.

“Are you ready for Round 2???… Liverpool Mosque, West Derby Road, Friday 8pm.”

McIntyre was working as a taxi driver when he was intercepted and arrested by police in Liverpool on 8 August, Mr Gibson said.

A knife was found hidden in the boot of his car and when his home was searched officers found weapons and a copy of Hitler’s Mein Kampf, the court heard.

The defendant followed proceedings on a videolink from HMP Liverpool, where he has been remanded in custody, while his parents looked on from the public gallery of the courtroom.

Julian Nutter, defending, said: “His parents are horrified that he is in this predicament.

“He is a man of previous good character and has never come to the attention of the police before.”

Among character references were letters to Judge Neil Flewitt KC from McIntyre’s parents and a family friend, the court heard.

Mr Nutter said: “Those who have spoken on his behalf describe somebody who is very different from what we have heard from the prosecution about him.”