Southport riot sentencing: Brian Spencer jailed for violent disorder

A Southport rioter, widely recognized online after a video captured him being hit in the groin by a brick during the summer riots, has been sentenced to two years and six months in prison in the Southport riot sentencing.

Brian Spencer, 40, was caught on camera taunting police officers and gyrating at the front of a riot in Southport on 30 July. The riots, sparked by the tragic deaths of three girls in the town, spiralled into violent clashes. Spencer was hit first in the head and then in the groin by bricks thrown by another rioter in scenes that social media users called “instant karma” and “justice served.”

The video, which attracted hundreds of thousands of views, turned Spencer into an object of ridicule, with some commenters likening the scene to a “Monty Python skit.”

Spencer, a painter and decorator, pleaded guilty to charges of violent disorder and racially or religiously aggravated harassment. Liverpool Crown Court heard that just one day after the riots, Spencer verbally abused a Polish man while awaiting treatment for his injuries at a hospital.

During sentencing on Monday, Judge Pierpoint criticised Spencer’s behaviour, describing him as a “general” who orchestrated chaos during the riot. “You were an enthusiastic and active participant, positioning yourself at the front of the mob. At times, you bounced around, encouraging others and clearly enjoying the chaos and harm you and other like-minded thugs were creating,” the judge said.

The court was told that Spencer had been an instigator during the riot, shouting and cheering as the violence unfolded. His injuries were sustained while he stood at the forefront of the mob, where he was struck by two bricks in quick succession. Despite being injured, police assisted him by placing him in an ambulance.

“You antagonised the police,” Judge Pierpoint continued. “The reason why you were struck is because you were at the front of the mob. The mobile footage of you being struck has been widely spread.”

Spencer’s actions were part of a broader wave of violence that led to 500 rioters being sentenced to prison this year alone. The Southport incident remains a stark reminder of how tensions boiled over in the wake of tragedy, transforming a seaside town into a scene of unrest.

In addition to his jail sentence, Spencer’s behaviour in the hospital further tarnished his image. His racial abuse of a fellow patient added another layer of disgrace to an already damning case.

As Christmas approaches, Spencer will join hundreds of others spending the festive season behind bars, serving time for their roles in the riots. Meanwhile, the viral footage of his injury continues to circulate online, solidifying his reputation as the face of Southport’s “instant karma” incident.