MERSEYSIDE RIOTER HAD PREVIOUS SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC ABUSE CONVICTIONS
Merseyside Rioter Gareth Metcalfe Had Previous Sexual Assault and Domestic Abuse Convictions Three men who participated in "appalling" violence following a knife attack in Southport have been sentenced to prison.Gareth Metcalfe, aged 44, and Philip Prescot, aged 38, both admitted to being involved in rioting outside a mosque in Merseyside on July 30.
The disorder involved missiles being thrown at police and broke out shortly after a vigil to remember three girls who were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Gareth Metcalfe, from Cambridge Gardens, received a prison term of three years and four months.
Philip Prescot, from Sefton Street, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.
Additionally, David Hill, aged 38, from Bootle, was given a two-year jail sentence after admitting to kicking the wing mirror off a police van on August 3 in Liverpool.Police explained that Prescott was among a crowd gathered near the Southport mosque at Sussex Road and Zetland Street when the unrest began.
Another individual, David Hill, was identified on CCTV taking part in disorder on William Brown Street in Liverpool.
Metcalfe was identified through social media footage as being involved in the chaos.The judge, His Honour Flewitt KC, stated that the incidents in Southport and Liverpool shared a common context and been contributed to by the trio, which left streets littered with debris and necessitated community clean-up efforts, including rebuilding a wall at the mosque.
The violence was racially or religiously motivated and targeted the Muslim community, causing additional distress to the local population.
The defence for Metcalfe claimed he was swept up in the anger, whilst Prescott's lawyer noted he was intoxicated.
Hill's team mentioned his homelessness and struggles with drug addiction, also emphasizing that he was not politically aligned with any group involved.Asst.
Chief Constable Paul White mentioned that 11 people are currently in prison following disorder in Merseyside and warned others involved that the police would take all necessary measures to ensure justice.
