A three-year jail service has been handed to a violent thug who punched a police officer, assaulted an emergency worker and used racist language during a riot in Southport.In court, Derek Drummond, 58, of Pool Street, in the town, branded himself a "fool" as he handed himself in to police, the Mirror reports.He was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to three years in prison after he admitted violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker in Southport on July 30.Drummond used racist language before demonstrating outside a badly damaged mosque, a judge told the court.Judge Andrew Menary KC said: “I cannot be sure you were an instigator but it is clear you were on the frontline encouraging others.
You participated willingly and enthusiastically. There are a number of serious aggravating factors. You have previous convictions for violence, but they are only of modest effect."More significantly, you were an active part of the crowd some elements of which were using racist language.
That indicates the motivation of the crowd of which you were a part."You were demonstrating outside a mosque that was badly damaged.
You used significant violence towards an officer. You picked up at least a brick, even if you didn’t throw it. This was not mindless thuggery.
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