Man hurt hand throwing bricks at police in disorder

A man who injured his hand throwing bricks at the police during disorder following the deaths of three little girls in Southport has been jailed.

Keelan Woodhead, 25, had travelled from Telford to Liverpool on 3 August, Merseyside Police said.

Woodhead, of Tilia Green, told hospital staff who treated his injured hand that he hurt it throwing bricks at police officers during incidents in the city centre and on County Road in Walton.

He admitted violent disorder and was jailed for 17 months at Liverpool Crown Court.

Also jailed on Tuesday at the same court was Christopher Dean, 35, of Byfleet Close in Wigan, who admitted violent disorder in Southport on 30 July and was jailed for two years.

Police said he was one of the first people to throw items at directly at officers, including a wheelie bin and said he also took part in racial chanting.

A force spokesman also said a 14-year-old girl received a 12-month referral order and a £200 fine.

She was part of a group that threw missiles towards officers and attacked a police vehicle and a lone officer.

The girl, who admitted violent disorder, also stole a pack of soft drinks and cash from the shop till.

Det Insp Paula Jones said: “We continue to remain steadfast in our investigation to identify more people who attended the disorder in Merseyside by reviewing more than 12,000 pieces of footage, and we will not stop until we’ve put everyone we possibly can before the courts.”

Riots broke out after three young girls were killed in a knife attack at a children's dance event in Southport in July, fuelled by subsequent misinformation the suspect was an asylum seeker.

Merseyside Police said the total number of people arrested for disorder in Merseyside now stands at 151, with 110 charged and 84 sentenced to a combined 176 years.

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