Power plant worker, business owner and handyman jailed over Southport riot

A “highly paid” nuclear power plant worker who laughed as he took part in mob violence outside a mosque in Southport has been jailed for two years and four months.

Liverpool crown court heard that Gavin Pinder, 47, had a “highly paid, responsible” job at Hinkley Point in Somerset.

On 30 July he was at his home in Failsworth when he heard about a gathering in Southport, the day after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

He travelled there and footage shows him shouting at police, laughing and throwing a traffic cone, the court heard.

Pinder was arrested at a pub in Manchester more than a fortnight later. In an interview, he told police that he had been struck by an officer with a baton after asking why they were not releasing information about the suspect arrested over the Southport murders.

The court heard that Pinder, father to a four-year-old, had 10 previous convictions, including for breaching an international football banning order.

Pinder pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Sentencing him, Judge Medland KC said: “You threw two objects at police, were clearly seen to be laughing and taking the view, perhaps, this had a recreational element to you.

“How this sits with the character references in your case and your highly responsible, very well-paid job is difficult to reconcile.”

More than 50 police officers were injured and a carrier was set alight during the disorder in Southport.

Michael Johnson, defending, said Pinder believed the gathering was focused on the belief that “something was being held back from the public” after the knife attack.

At the same court Jonathan Duerden, 31, a handyman from Colne, Lancashire, was jailed for two years after he admitted violent disorder. He threw a brick at a police carrier and encouraged a crowd to advance towards police lines.

The court heard that he had travelled to Southport to lay flowers, but also that day drank alcohol and took drugs including cannabis, cocaine and ketamine. Andrew McInnes, defending, told the court the defendant had ADHD and was barely literate or numerate.

A third man, Joseph Buckley, 44, of Litherland, was jailed for 16 months after he admitted violent disorder in the Southport violence. Buckley, the joint owner of a civil engineering business, was seen throwing a brick at police.

At Bristol crown court, Ashley Harris, 36, who runs his own scaffolding and roofing business, was jailed for three years for his part in far-right violence in the city on 3 August.

The court heard he was seen throwing punches, hurling a can at police and encouraging others to join in. He later punched a female counter-protester.

Harris admitted violent disorder. Jailing him, Judge Patrick said the defendant was “significantly” more involved than others.

“I bear in mind your mother is ill and I bear in mind the impact upon your business. I also note that you are sorry and ashamed. I hope that is true and simply not hollow words.”