Elham Asaad Buaras
A taxi driver whose social media posts sparked violent disorder in Southport last summer has, on January 7, been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.
At Liverpool Crown Court, the prosecution revealed that 39-year-old Andrew McIntyre created a Telegram channel called Southport Wake Up shortly after a knife attack at a children’s dance class in Southport on July 29. Prosecutor Arthur Gibson described the channel as a “catalyst” and the origin of posts that incited violence.
McIntyre, who pleaded guilty to encouraging violent disorder, criminal damage, and possession of a knife, shared content from extremist groups like Tommy Robinson, Britain First, and For Britain about a protest planned in Southport on July 30. He also posted a clear threat to police just hours before the violence erupted, writing: “Message to All … Stand in our way, even if you’re just doing your job … prepare to fall.”
After McIntyre’s arrest in Liverpool on August 8, officers found a knife in the boot of his car. At his home, they discovered weapons and a copy of Hitler’s Mein Kampf.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC condemned McIntyre’s role in spreading misinformation following the attack, calling him “prominent” among those responsible.
He added that McIntyre’s actions were aggravated by racial hostility and targeted police officers.
Gibson noted that the violence last summer was not spontaneous but organized, with McIntyre playing a significant part in encouraging and inciting the unrest. “Many of these incidents were orchestrated by people like the defendant,” Gibson said.
Riot police faced off against a far-right group in Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire on August 4 (Credit: Ioannis Alexopoulos/AA). Right: Ibrahim Hussein, the Imam of Southport Mosque, addresses the media on July 31 while crews work on repairing the road and garden walls surrounding the mosque. Below, a photo shows a portion of the mosque’s wall that was burned. (Credit: Raşid Necati Aslım/AA)
McIntyre’s phone was traced to the area of St Luke’s Road in Southport at 7 p.m. on July 30, when the disorder took place. The court also learned that McIntyre had posted a map with the caption, “Mosque at the top of Hart St,” followed by a message urging “Rise Up English Lads” for a gathering on St Luke’s Road. After the violence, McIntyre posted: “Well done last night lads, to all you heavy hitters.”
On August 5, he urged his followers to mask up and spread a message against immigration. “They won’t stop coming until you tell them … no more immigration,” he wrote.
McIntyre, a taxi driver at the time, was arrested after refusing to provide the PIN for his phone, which police believed contained more evidence of his role in inciting protests. Judge Flewitt concluded that McIntyre’s refusal to cooperate showed he knew his phone would expose his involvement in the violence.
McIntyre appeared in court via video link from HMP Liverpool, where he has been remanded in custody. His parents attended the hearing, expressing their shock at his actions.
Defending McIntyre, Julian Nutter described him as a man of previous good character with no prior police involvement. Character references from McIntyre’s family painted a picture of a person far removed from the individual described by the prosecution.
Initially, McIntyre faced a charge of encouraging murder after posting a link to a YouTube video with the Home Secretary’s image and the caption: “We’re going to hang this woman and her associates.” However, the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to pursue the charge due to evidential issues.
Photo: Andrew McIntyre was implicated in what was described as the ‘most sinister aspect’ of the July disturbances, the court heard. (Credit: Merseyside Police)
