Three men jailed for combined seven years and eight months for violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool

Three men have been jailed for a combined seven years and eight months for their role in violent disorder in Merseyside.

They appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today, Tuesday 13 August, following the disorder in Southport on Tuesday 30 July and in Liverpool city centre on Saturday 3 August.

Philip Prescott, 38, of Sefton Street, Southport, was sentenced to two years and four months after pleading guilty to violent disorder in Southport.

David Frank Hill, 38, of Bianca Street, Bootle, was sentenced to two years after pleading guilty to violent disorder in Liverpool city centre.

Gareth Metcalfe, 44, of Cambridge Gardens, Southport was sentenced to three years and four months after pleading guilty to violent disorder in Southport.

Prescott was part of a crowd who gathered at the corner of Sussex Road and Zetland Street, in Southport, and took part in violent disorder aimed at officers. Prescott threw missiles at officers, including a brick from a damaged garden wall. He was arrested six days later after local policing officers saw him on Lord Street and recognised him.

Metcalfe, who also took part in the Southport disorder, was identified after officers saw him after reviewing social media footage. He was arrested only four days after the incident.

Hill was involved in the appalling scenes in Liverpool city centre on Saturday 3 August. CCTV inquiries identified him damaging a police car and taking part in disorder on William Brown Street.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: “There are now 11 people in prison following disorder in Merseyside and this number is only going to increase in the days and weeks ahead.

“It’s pleasing to see the courts take violent disorder so seriously. The incidents we saw in Southport and Liverpool were appalling and not only injured multiple officers, but also caused fear in our communities.

“Our warning to anyone thinking of getting involved in this type of criminality is clear - if you cause or incite violence, or commit related offending, we will take all necessary steps and use all means at our disposal to bring you to justice.”

From left: Philip Prescott, Gareth Metcalfe and David Hill