Man jailed for three years following disorder in Southport

A man who punched a police officer in the face during disorder on the streets of Southport last Tuesday (30 July) will tonight begin a three year jail term.

Derek Drummond, 58, of Pool Street, Southport, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker.

Drummond was among a group of around 300 people walking towards the mosque on St Luke’s Road. As the group was challenged by officers, Drummond punched an officer to the face and was later seen dismantling a wall and throwing bricks towards officers.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: “Drummond took to the streets of a town still reeling from the devastating news that three young children had been killed at a dance class.

“He engaged in destructive and threatening behaviour that inflicted fear and destruction on an area grieving and in shock.

“We deployed police officers to the area to protect the public. They showed immense courage in the face of terrible aggression, and Drummond chose to assault them.

“These were officers whose colleagues had just a day earlier faced unspeakably tragic scenes on Hart Street as they tended to victims and detained a man later charged with murdering three children.

“Drummond’s disgusting behaviour that day has got him exactly where he belongs – in a prison cell.

“He has deprived himself of his liberty and left his family counting the cost of his actions.”

ACC White added: “The support of the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts has proved vital in getting Drummond convicted and jailed just a week after this disorder.

“I hope the speed with which the wheels of justice have turned makes it very clear to anyone considering getting involved in disorder that they could find themselves in a prison cell very soon after.”