Grandad-to-be, 33, claims he went to pay his respects - his actions showed his real intentions
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA rioter who a court heard was seen with a 'maniacal grin' at the front of a 'mob' in Southport has been jailed for more than two years.
Christopher Beard, 33, was shown on CCTV footage 'shouting', 'gesticulating' and throwing objects towards police officers at the front of a crowd which gathered outside a mosque in the Merseyside town on July 30, the day after three young girls died in a knife attack.
Beard, from Wigan, was said to have remained in the 'midst of the crowd, seemingly enjoying the chaos' as it unfolded. READ MORE: Couple who kissed on dancefloor left covered in blood after horrific 'homophobic attack during night out' He's now been jailed for two years and eight months - the latest rioter to be locked up in the aftermath of widespread disorder following the tragedy in Southport.
Louise McCloskey, prosecuting at Liverpool Crown Court, said Beard, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was seen as police vehicles tried to move but were hit by the crowd.
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