The Manchester man given the longest prison sentence of the Southport riots so far after 'shocking attack'

A man from Manchester has been given the longest prison sentence so far in connection with the summer rioting in Southport.

Violence flared in the Lancashire town and police came under attack from a mob after the deaths of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.

The girls were all fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29. Police said more than 50 officers were injured, with windows smashed and walls and cars damaged during the resulting riot. A total of 82 people have now been sentenced - to prison terms totalling 172 years.

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Sean Beech, 55, has been now been jailed for four-and-a-half years after a police officer's nose was broken during the violent disorder, Merseyside Police have said.

Beech, of Len Cox Walk, Ancoats, was captured on CCTV on July 30.

A force spokesperson said: "Beech was seen to grab hold of the officer's baton, which hit the officer in the face, breaking his nose. Beech then threw the baton towards a line of officers and pushed and attempted to trip over another police officer."

Police said he was sentenced on Friday to a total of 54 months in prison - 40 months for violent disorder, 14 months, to run consecutively, for assault and three months, to run concurrently, for assaulting an emergency worker.

The force spokesperson said: "It is the longest prison sentence to date for anyone convicted of being involved in the violent disorder in Southport. It brings the total number of arrests to 151 with 107 people charged and 82 sentenced to a total of 172 years and seven months.

Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: "This was a shocking attack on a police officer which resulted in him suffering a broken nose.

"It is right that Beech should be brought to justice for his actions and receive a significant prison sentence. We will continue to put those responsible before the courts and would encourage anyone with information to keep coming forward.”

Anyone with information to assist our ongoing investigations is asked to contact us via Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.