Taxi driver jailed for social media posts inciting Southport riots

Andrew McIntyre, 39, was ‘motivated by racial hatred’

A taxi driver who spread misinformation and incited violence on social media following the Southport attack has been jailed for 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 at a children’s dance class in the Merseyside town on 29 July last year, Liverpool Crown Court was told on Monday.

Sentencing him, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said the defendant was “prominent” among people responsible for spreading misinformation following the Southport attack.

He said: “You were motivated by racial hatred.

“I have no doubt your actions encouraged many people to plan and then to commit offences of both violent disorder and criminal damage.”

Mr Flewitt said the offence was aggravated because it was motivated by racial hostility and involved attacks on police officers.

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

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

Andrew McIntyre, 39, set up a Telegram channel called ‘Southport Wake Up’, in the immediate aftermath of the attack (Elizabeth Cook/PA Wire)

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, who pleaded guilty to encouraging violent disorder and criminal damage and possession of a knife, 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 court was told McIntyre’s phone was in the area of St Luke’s Road in Southport at 7pm on 30 July and the car he was later arrested in was also in the area when the disorder took place.

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.”

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 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.”

McIntyre, of Rufford, near Ormskirk, Lancashire, was originally charged with encouraging murder after posting a link to a YouTube video of the Home Secretary with the caption: “We’re going to hang this woman and her associates.”

Mr Gibson said the decision was taken by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) not to pursue the charge to trial because of “evidential issues” concerning whether the defendant actually believed the act would be carried out.

The count was left to lie on the file.