A key instigator of the 2024 anti-Muslim riots has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years after encouraging his online followers to commit violent disorder and criminal damage in Southport.
Andrew Robert McIntyre, 39 years, from Cousins Lane, Rufford, was found to have sent messages via Telegram encouraging others to participate in the disorder in Southport on July 30, 2024, as well as failed attempts to instigate disorder at other locations.
McIntyre used a far-right account called “Southport Wake Up” as a forum to incite people while he also attended the disorder himself in Southport on July 30 and in Liverpool on August 3.
When he was arrested on 8 August on Smithdown Road, McIntyre was found in possession of a flick knife.
A subsequent search of his home uncovered weapons and a copy of Hitler’s Mein Kampf.
Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “The actions of the people who took part in the disorder in Southport had a huge impact on a community still grieving the harrowing events of July 27. McIntyre played a key role in co-ordinating the group who took to the streets on July 30, using social media to encourage members of the group to turn up at the heart of the communities in Southport and Liverpool to commit criminal damage. The result left dozens of officers injured as bricks, bins and other missiles were thrown at them.
“Residents’ walls were dismantled to create makeshift missiles and their bins set alight, while windows were smashed and a trail of destruction left in their wake. Of those who took part in the disorder, many of whom will have seen McIntyre’s messages, 163 have been arrested, 121 charged and now 90 have been sentenced to a total of 189 years and 10 months.”
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Islamophobic summer riots 2024
From 30 July to 5 August 2024, far-right and anti-immigration protests occurred across England and Northern Ireland.
Many of these demonstrations turned violent with the disorder, the largest incident of social unrest in England since 2011, including racist attacks on minorities, arson, and looting.
Mosques, hotels housing refugees and residential streets with a strong Muslim presence where targeted.
The riots were fuelled by false claims circulated by far-right groups that the perpetrator of a mass stabbing in Southport on July 29 was a Muslim and an asylum seeker.
By August 8, at least 200 people had been sentenced with 177 imprisoned, to an average sentence of around two years and up to a nine-years.
As of September 1, 1,280 arrests and nearly 800 charges had been made in relation to the unrest.
McIntyre’s Southport Wake Up Telegram channel was identified by Hope Not Hate as a “catalyst for and origin of a series of posts” concerning incidents of violence.
The court heard that McIntyre, who had pleaded guilty to encouraging violent disorder and possession of a knife, shared content from a site called Tommy Robinson/Britain First/For Britain about the protest in Southport on July 30.
He also posted a map, 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 what was described as a “clear threat to police,” writing: “Message to All…Stand in our way, even if you’re just doing your job… prepare to fall.”
Another user responded: “We’ll get to the mosque and rip it fucking down.”
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 in which he was later arrested 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.”
McIntyre 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.
Detective Inspector Jones added words of advice to McIntyre and other riot inciters regarding the violence that unfolded in the summer of 2024.
“Like dozens of others before him, I hope McIntyre spends the time he will now have in prison reflecting on his actions during the disorder, and the impact it had on communities here in Merseyside.”
