UK riots: Pair jailed for over two-and-a-half years each over unrest

John O'Malley, 43, was among a group of up to 1,000 people involved in the disorder outside a mosque in the Merseyside town last Tuesday.

The crowd chanted "this is our f***ing country" and "save our children" as "significant damage" was caused to residential property and the mosque.

"He [O'Malley] was active in and at the heart of the violence," a prosecutor told the court.

O'Malley, from Southport, pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder earlier this week and was jailed for 32 months at Liverpool Crown Court in the first on-camera sentencing hearing over the riots.

He was sentenced alongside 69-year-old semi-retired welder William Nelson Morgan, who admitted violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon - a wooden cosh - in Liverpool on Saturday night.

He was part of a group of around 100 people who set fire to bins, threw bricks, damaged local businesses, and set fire to other buildings in County Road, in Walton.

Morgan, who is from the area and has no previous convictions, was jailed for 32 months.

Their sentencing followed Prime Minister Keir Starmer insisting that it was "important that we don't let up" after the sentencing of individuals, which he claimed had "sent a very powerful message".

Following a visit to a mosque in Solihull, Sir Keir said he will chair another Cobra meeting with law enforcement officials on Thursday afternoon to "reflect on last night" and plan for the coming days.

It comes after police had expected at least 100 far-right marches across the country on Wednesday night, but as the night progressed, counter-protesters instead turned out in UK cities - including London, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Brighton.

'Participating enthusiastically'

During the sentencing, the judge said O'Malley was "at the front of what was essentially a baying mob".

He added: "You were at the front and participating enthusiastically."

The judge said Morgan's "advancing years" did not stop him from playing an "active part" of a group "running amok".

When the rioters met the police, the judge said Morgan was "at the front of the mob... holding in your hand... a small truncheon".

"I am sure you had [the weapon] with you to cause injury if the opportunity should arise," he said.

The judge said Morgan resisted arrest "with such force" that it took three officers to detain him.

Being sentenced, Morgan stood with his head bowed before nodding at the judge, while O'Malley muttered something inaudible as he left the dock.

The pair's cases have been fast-tracked through the courts as police, prosecutors, and the government look to send a message to anyone involved in the disorder, with more sentences expected across the country this week.

Liverpool Crown Court is also due to host the sentencing of Adam and Ellis Wharton, who face potential jail time for burgling a library in the Walton area of the city after it was set on fire.

Couple joined riot after playing bingo

Meanwhile, a couple who became involved in riots in Hartlepool after going to an afternoon bingo session have each been jailed for 26 months at Teesside Crown Court.

Former postmaster and school governor Steven Mailen, 54, and his partner Ryan Sheers, 29, both pleaded guilty to violent disorder after 200 people gathered in the County Durham town on 31 July.

Mailen was described as "one of the main instigators" of a large-scale disturbance on Murray Street. While Sheers, a former McDonald's worker, was bitten on the hip by a police dog during the disorder.

A judge said both men were "at the very forefront of the mob", and tried to push their way through a police cordon, with Mailen taunting officers and encouraging others to use violence towards them. Neither had any previous convictions.

In Plymouth Crown Court, 51-year-old Michael Williams was jailed for 32 months for violent disorder.

Judge Robert Linford said Williams was seen "fighting and kicking another male" during the disorder on Monday, which centred on a crowd of anti-immigration protesters who attempted for several hours to confront a Stand Up To Racism counter-rally.

When he was arrested, he was found with a stone in his jogging bottoms. During his sentencing, the judge dismissed William's "ludicrous" claim that the object was a "healing stone".

Court appearances linked to rioting across the country are also expected in Hull, Stratford, Sheffield, and South Tyneside Magistrates' Courts.

-SKY NEWS