First Rioter Jailed for Violent Disorder Amid Nationwide Unrest

A police van set alight in Southport after three children died and eight were injured in a knife attack on July 30, 2024. Pat Hurst/PA

A rioter has become the first person to be sentenced to prison for violent disorder following nationwide unrest, receiving a three-year jail term.

On Monday, the first set of offenders sentenced to imprisonment for violent disorder was announced.

Derek Drummond, 58, of Pool Street, Liverpool, previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker.

He was one of three men to be jailed at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday.

Declan Geiran, 29, and Liam James Riley, 41, were sentenced to 30 months and 20 months in prison respectively after also admitting violent disorder following riots in Liverpool city centre.

Commenting on the sentences, Senior District Crown Prosecutor Jonathan Egan said: “The three men sentenced today are the tip of the iceberg, and just the start of what will be a very painful process for many who foolishly chose to involve themselves in violent unrest.

“Many of those involved will be sent to prison for a long time.”

Judge Andrew Menary, KC, said, “The genuine and collective grief of the residents of Southport was effectively hijacked by this callous behaviour.”

Riots

Rioters have since clashed with police in Rotherham, Tamworth, Manchester, Hull, Liverpool, Bristol, Blackpool, Plymouth, Birmingham, and Belfast.

The suspect behind the Southport stabbing was later named as 17-year-old Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents.

However, in the immediate aftermath of the attack, a fake news site incorrectly posted that the perpetrator was a Muslim illegal immigrant on a terror watch list who came to the UK on a boat.

The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, and the Home Office had warned, “Put simply: If you engage in violent protests, you will face the full force of the law.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had vowed to fast-track the process. He said that the government has “a standing army of public duty officers” that “will ramp up criminal justice.”

He added that he “expected substantive sentencing of some of those involved in the rioting to take place by the end of the week.”

The Crown Prosecution Service has charged more than 140 people in connection with the recent unrest though The National Police Chiefs’ Council stated that this number is expected to rise “significantly” in the coming days.

More than 400 have been arrested.

PA Media contributed to this report.